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PrefaceInterest in cell signalling in the early embryo extends over the last 30 years, following extensive research on this topic in somatic cells largely in the context of exogenous growth factors and hormones. Thus, Edirisinghe and Wales (1985), working on preimplantation mouse embryos examined the effect of a variety of agents: glucagon, insulin, adrenaline, cAMP, theophylline and caffeine on glucose metabolism while O'Neill (1985), a pioneer in this field, reported that mouse embryos produced platelet-activating factor (PAF) which stimulated blastocyst rates and cell number. Research then focussed largely on peptide growth factors including their origini.e., whether growth factor ligands and/or receptors were produced by the embryo itself or by the female tract (oviduct and uterus), and their cellular effects, which could be autocrine, paracrine or juxtacrine. A number of excellent reviews of these studies were published: e.g., Schultz and Heyner (1993); Kaye (1997); Kane et al. (1997); Hardy and Spanos (2002).In the last few years interest in embryonic signalling has exploded with (i) the increasing use of ART procedures in animals and humans and the need to improve success rates and safety; (ii) ren...