A book by Lois McMaster Bujold, set in her Vorkosigan universe but peripheral to the series (the only character in it who appears in several other books is Elli Quinn). "Ethan of Athos" is the story of Dr Ethan Urquhart, who lives on the planet Athos where no women are allowed. He is sent out into the galaxy to acquire new ovarian cultures for Athos.