Reproductive and Developmental Endocrinology

Reproduction is a fundamental feature of life, essential for the perpetuation of species. Reproductive health appears to be deteriorating worldwide, as evidenced by the escalating prevalence of pubertal and fertility disorders.

The ESE Focus Area on Reproductive and Developmental Endocrinology deals with male and female infertility and sits at the crossroads of many disciplines, requiring interaction between endocrinologists, gynecologists, pediatricians and andrologists. This area of endocrinology has witnessed amazing developments in recent years, mainly as the result of the coordinated efforts between clinical and basic investigators addressing the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of common pathologies of reproduction.

Additional challenges in this field exist, including the management of rare forms of genetic infertility, premature ovarian insufficiency and the management of manifestations of the menopause. With these aspects and many more under investigation, we forecast major and exciting developments in Reproductive and Developmental Endocrinology in the coming years.

This Focus Area aims to monitor these developments and the progress of the field, pinpointing (and anticipating) major issues and unmet needs, and addressing them through a combination of basic and clinical research. It is clear there is an urgent need for a better understanding of the basis of reproductive function and dysfunction, with special emphasis on its endocrine and genetic regulation. Working towards addressing this will significantly benefit patients with reproductive disorders.

Clinical Lead: Bulent Yildiz, Turkey
Basic Lead: Jenny Visser, Netherlands