Molecular and cellular challenges and threats to human fertility

Human fertility is deeply intertwined with complex molecular and cellular dynamics, facing numerous challenges. Current research has acknowledged diverse causes of fertility issues, such as lifestyle factors like diet and smoking, environmental pollutants including endocrine disrupters, anatomical abnormalities, medical interventions, and genetic anomalies, with some causes remaining idiopathic. On the molecular level, reproductive impairments in both genders can arise from DNA damage, epigenetic modifications, and disruptions within hormone signaling pathways. In developed nations, the below-replacement-level natural population growth portends significant demographic issues for subsequent generations. Understanding the underlying infertility causes sets the groundwork for creating effective interventions for conception and evaluating assisted reproductive technology.

This Research Topic aims to illuminate the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing reproductive functions, fertilization, and pregnancy while examining pathways activated by environmentally active substances. The objective is to advance the understanding requisite for early diagnosis and innovative treatment strategies. By exploring the mechanisms and pathways involved in reproduction, we aim to open doors for optimizing diagnostic and therapeutic methods, anticipating the inclusion of next-generation biomarkers like epigenetic, proteomic, metabolomic, immunological, and exosomal within future strategies.

The scope of this research incorporates a range of focus areas and limitations. We encourage articles exploring these themes, which include, but are not limited to:

o Molecular pathways underlying reproductive system functions
o Impacts of environmental pollutants on fertility
o Epigenetic influences on fertility and reproductive health
o Diagnostic innovation through next-generation biomarkers
o Therapeutic advancements in addressing fertility issues

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Fertility, Epigenetics, Environmental Pollutants, Molecular Pathways, Biomarkers, Reproductive Health, Therapeutic Advancements

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.