The global human fertility rate has been in decline for decades – from ~5 births per woman in 1950 to ~2.4 births per woman today (Global Burden of Disease Study 2021). Current demographic models forecast that, by 2050, more than 3 in 4 countries will record fertility rates unable to maintain their population sizes. Globally, it is estimated that 10-20% of people experience infertility at any point in time, the lifetime prevalence of infertility being 15-20% (WHO 2023).

Whilst pregnancy outcomes, in terms of feto-maternal mortality, have steadily improved over recent decades, an estimated 15% of pregnancies still end in miscarriage (Global Burden of Disease Study 2019). Furthermore, a rising proportion of pregnancies proceed in the context of consequential mental and physical comorbidities, such as mood disorder; obesity; hypothyroidism; hypertension; and diabetes mellitus.

This Special Issue of the British Journal of Biomedical Science (Impact Factor of 2.7 and Citescore of 4.4) will bring together expert commentary and new research from disciplines spanning the spectrum of reproductive science and clinical practice. Its purpose is to showcase progress in understanding of the biological barriers to fertility and to favourable pregnancy outcomes; and to suggest avenues for overcoming them.

Manuscripts describing work in any of the following areas are welcome:
• Experimental models of human reproduction
• Physiology / pathophysiology of human reproduction
• Epidemiological studies of human reproduction
• Studies into infections which may affect the course of pregnancy and/or fetal development
• Clinical studies around aspects of pre-conception optimisation, assisted conception, pregnancy and / or the puerperium, focusing on the mother or the fetus
• Clinical case reports illustrating unusual or challenging reproductive pathology

Any questions? Please email the Editorial Office.

IBMS Members
IBMS members can benefit from a full waiver of the APC and should email the Editorial Office with their IBMS membership reference number prior to submission of the manuscript to confirm their waiver.

Article types and fees

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Biomedical Science in Brief
• Case Report
• Editorial
• Letter to the Editor
• Original Research
• Review

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 Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Biomedical Science in Brief
• Case Report
• Editorial
• Letter to the Editor
• Original Research
• Review

Keywords: Pregnancy, human reproduction, fertility, assisted conception, puerperium