I
n Australia today, one in six couples experiences infertility
and typically one child in every classroom was conceived by
medically assisted reproduction technologies like IVF.
Conversely, an estimated 25% of all pregnancies are electively
terminated. Meanwhile, the search for improved contracep-
tives continues, including contraceptives for men. These preva-
lent yet polar opposite fertility issues illustrate that reproduction
sits squarely at the forefront of health challenges in Australia.
These and other issues are highlighted in this month’s edition
ofAustralasian Science. Our expert contributors are each
members of the Society for Reproductive Biology, Australia’s
professional network of reproductive biologists and biomedical
scientists.
This issue will outline the latest research examining how a
woman’s number of eggs is determined so that future fertility
can be better predicted, and reveal emerging data that men who
experience infertility are also more likely to die younger. Mean-
while, pluripotent stem cells could revolutionise regenerative
medicine and eliminate genetic diseases if we can fully under-
stand and safely utilise their potential clinically.
Pregnancy complications are a major concern for prospec-
tive parents. However, new algorithms could predict a woman’s
chance of developing life-threatening pre-eclampsia, and new
drugs may be on the horizon to prevent preterm births.
There is strong evidence that our modern lifestyle is detri-
mental to healthy reproduction, with obesity dramatically
affecting both male and female fertility as well as the lifetime
health of the childin utero. Indeed, the evidence is clear that child
health is established prior to birth. By reducing inequalities,
particularly in maternal reproductive health in our most disad-
vantaged communities, we can greatly improve the health of
future generations.
Fertility is also a critical concern for our domesticated live-
stock and native species. Australian farms effectively use repro-
ductive technologies, such as artificial insemination, to enhance
the productivity of their dairy cows. Conversely, feral species
can be contained by effective fertility management.
Some of our diverse native species have famously unique
reproductive strategies, from egg-laying mammals to marsu-
pials that nurture their offspring in pouches. Unfortunately
the delicate developmental biology of our marsupial joeys is
being disfigured by endocrine-disrupting pollutants in the envi-
ronment. Genome banking and reproductive technologies are
being developed for some of our endangered native species,
such as koalas and Tasmanian devils.
The Society for Reproductive Biology is working to solve
these clinical, agricultural and environmental problems by
discovering how eggs and sperm are formed and released, and
elucidating the mechanisms by which they come together to
trigger embryo development, subsequent implantation, placental
formation and ultimately the birth of a new being.
This edition ofAustralasian Sciencebrings together a snap-
shot of this diverse field of reproduction research into the new
frontiers of fertility research.
This edition ofAustralasian Scienceis guest edited by A/Prof Rebecca Robker of The
University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute and Prof Eileen McLaughlin, who is
Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Science and IT at The University of Newcastle and
immediate Past President of the Society for Reproductive Biology.JAN/FEB 2016|| 13Fertility in the
21st Century
Fertility is a diverse field of research that
encompasses male and female infertility,
pregnancy complications, and environmental
and lifestyle influences that can affect the
reproductive health not only of future
generations but also our native wildlife.
GUEST EDITORIAL Rebecca Robker & Eileen McLaughlin
Clicknique/iStockphoto