• 1. Introduction: the biological anthropological approach G. A. Harrison; Part I. Hormonal Aspects of Fertility Regulation: 2. The hypothalamo-pituitary regulation of the reproductive function: towards an increasing complexity J.-C. Thalabard, M. L.Goubillon and G. Plu-Bureau; 3. Lactation, condition and sociality: constraints on fertility of non-human mammals P. C. Lee; 4. Evidence for interpopulation variation in normal ovarian function and consequences for hormonal contraception G. R. Bentley; Part II. Interpopulation Variability: 5. Age and developmental effects on human ovarian function P. T. Ellison; 6. Non-pathological source of variability in fertility: between/within subjects and between populations L. Rosetta; 7. The relationship between disease and subfecundity C. G. N. Mascie-Taylor; Part III. Metabolic and Energetic Aspects of Regulation: 8. Metabolic adaptation in humans: does it occur? P. S. Shetty; 9. Possible adaptive mechanisms for energy saving during physical activity M. Rieu; 10. Body composition and fertility: methodological considerations N. G. Norgan; 11. Breast-feeding practices and other metabolic loads affecting human reproduction P. G. Lunn; Index.

"Each chapter addresses a different topic and includes a fine technical overview with plenty of references for further investigation...can be recommended to anyone with an interest in human fertility." Heidi D. Fain, Quarterly Review of Biology