CONRAD occasionally sponsors symposia and studies on important issues in contraceptive technology. These workshops have resulted in outstanding proceedings reflecting the state-of-the-art at that time. Limited copies are available upon request for most of the publications.

Vaginal Microbicide Formulations Workshop
Workshop held November 1997
Proceedings edited by William F. Rencher

Development of effective vaginal contraceptives and microbicides has been a longstanding challenge. This book represents the outcome of a workshop designed to review physiological parameters important to formulators, consider preformulation issues in designing drug delivery systems, and discuss conventional and novel formulation approaches used to promote even distribution and prolong retention.

Contraceptive Research and Development: Looking to the Future
Institute of Medicine Report (1996)
Edited by Polly Harrison and Allan Rosenfield

This book explores the frontiers of science where the contraceptives of the future are likely to be found and lays out criteria for deciding where to make the next R&D investments. The book comprehensively examines today’s contraceptive needs, identifies niches in those needs that seem most readily translatable into market terms, and scrutinizes issues that shape the market: method side effects and contraceptive failure, the challenge of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, and the implications of the "women’s agenda".

Pharmacology, Biology, and Clinical Applications of Androgens: Current Status and Future Prospects
Workshop held February 1995
Proceedings edited by Shalender Bhasin, Henry L. Gabelnick, Jeffrey M. Spieler, Ronald S. Swerdloff, Christina Wang, and Chuck Kelly

Leading investigators from around the world offer a focused, state-of-the-art summary of the central issues and controversies in androgen research. The book is arranged into sections covering androgen physiology, androgens and the prostate, their neurobehavioral and metabolic effects, their role in disease therapy and male contraception, and the various delivery systems for each application. [Proceedings no longer available from CONRAD]

Barrier Contraceptives: Current Status and Future Prospects
Workshop held March 1993
Proceedings edited by Christine K. Mauck, Milton Cordero, Henry L. Gabelnick, Jeffrey M. Spieler, and Roberto Rivera

The outcome of a Dominican Republic workshop, this book provides a thorough overview of the role of barrier contraceptives in both birth control and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The text summarizes current scientific understanding of the various barrier methods, and discusses the latest research efforts aimed at improving their contraceptive and prophylactic efficacy. This volume is organized into sections covering topics in barrier use, barrier research, research methodologies, and barriers and STDs. The book closes with a section featuring reports from "working groups" addressing various subjects in barrier contraception.

Heterosexual Transmission of AIDS
Workshop held February 1989
Proceedings edited by Nancy J. Alexander, Henry L. Gabelnick, and Jeffrey M. Spieler

This workshop publication examines the sexual mechanisms of transmission of this viral infection, including HIV interactions with sperm, semen, and cervical and vaginal secretions. The book explores the principal risk factors in the heterosexual transmission of HIV and how sexual behavior changes the risk of HIV transmission and discusses the impact of specific contraceptive methods in controlling the spread of disease. [Proceedings no longer available from CONRAD]

Nonsteroidal Gonadal Factors: Physiological Roles and Possibilities in Contraceptive Development
Workshop held January 1988
Proceedings edited by Gary D. Hodgen, Zev Rosenwaks, Jeffrey M. Spieler

CONRAD’s first international workshop focused on nonsteroidal gonadal peptides, such as inhibin, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), activin, and other intergonadal regulators that could serve as targets for fertility regulation and be critical for reproductive health. The workshop brought together chemists, molecular and reproductive biologists, and pharmaceutical industry scientists to discuss how the emerging basic discoveries in this field could be applied towards development into contraceptive agents. [Proceedings no longer available from CONRAD]