[Current developments in the study and management of unwanted childlessness].

After some introductory remarks on the investigation of the infertile couple in general, more specific new technologies in diagnosis and ways of treatment of infertility are discussed. In the infertile male with a varicocele the advantages of phlebography and embolisation over surgical ligation of the internal spermatic vein is presented. The value of the hamster ovum penetration test in order to evaluate the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa is commented. A new method for diagnosis of immunologic infertility in men is briefly explained as well as the possibility for treatment of immunologic infertility by means of corticosteroids. In women the indications and disadvantages of LHRH ovulation induction are presented as well as the advantages of monitoring follicle growth during ovulation induction or stimulation by means of ultrasound. The major breakthrough in infertility therapy of course is in vitro fertilization (IVF): only a few indications other than tubal occlusion are commented and the impact and some future aspects of IVF for other medical disciplines are briefly discussed.