Andrology and humanities

It is our distinct pleasure to announce a new section in Andrology: Andrology and Humanities. Andrology includes many facets of men’s reproductive and sexual health. Indeed, andrology is at the intersection of many disciplines such as endocrinology, urology, environment, reproductive fitness, sexual and couple’s health, assisted reproductive technologies (ART), and male contraception. However, research in the area of male reproduction has been surprisingly underfunded. This is perhaps due to cultural biases as fertility problems have been considered for years to be mainly female issues. In addition, andrology training is still an underserved discipline within men’s health care. While ART procedures have been successfully implemented to overcome male factor infertility, other male health problems are still not properly addressed.¹ For example, the steep decline in human sperm counts over the last 40 years has not found definite causes and remedies. Further, there is growing evidence that testis function and semen quality correlate with a man’s health and that the father’s age affects offspring fitness. In addition, environmental factors promote epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease such as sperm defects, prostate and kidney abnormalities and metabolic disfunctions.^2–4 Therefore, in addition to studying reproductive fitness and the impact of the environment, there is the need to implement policies to prevent exposure to hazardous chemicals that impair fertility, and regulatory requirements concerning the effect of pharmaceuticals on sperm quantity, quality, and function need to be strengthened. Education programs raising awareness that agricultural, economical, and life choices might impact the reproductive health of populations and individuals of both sexes are critical.

Other health concerns that are still poorly addressed are osteoporosis in men and use and abuse of anabolic steroids in sports. It is essential that hormonal therapies be provided by trained endocrinologists to avoid cardiovascular repercussions and to ensure physical and psychological health. It is also critical to recognize that new technologies of reproduction, hormone management, and transsexuality have recently expanded the definitions of sex, gender, sexuality, and the family. Andrologists, geneticists, cultural anthropologists, social historians, sociologists, psychologists, psychosexologists, and transgender care providers all agree that sex and reproductive needs are complex and variable. For example, sexual practices that are condemned in one culture may be celebrated in another, and codes of gendered behavior vary substantially across the world and throughout history.

The connection between andrology and social, economic, religious, and political issues is an interesting bidirectional process. For example, in males, the link between testosterone and dominance competition for hierarchical advancement is well described.^5–7 There are also possible correlations between testosterone levels and political engagement. A recent study demonstrated that androgens drive men’s preference for luxury goods by increasing their aspiration for status rather than power or a general preference for high-quality products.⁸ Other studies demonstrated that after presidential elections, males who voted for the winner kept stable post outcome testosterone levels resisting a circadian decline, whereas testosterone levels dropped more sharply in males who voted for the loser.^9,10

Another aspect of andrology, fertility status, has had an enormous impact on national and international politics throughout history. For example, it was suggested that Henry VIII had sperm defects because it is highly unlikely that all his six wives had fertility problems.¹¹ His reproductive status and marital accounts therefore significantly influenced English history and the Reformation, the repercussions of which persist to this day.

Finally, another critical facet of andrology–sexual health–is strongly linked to sociocultural factors such as religion.¹² Religions can influence sexuality, and medical treatments for sexual problems might need to be individualized according to the patient’s religious beliefs.¹³

Because many of these subjects are linked to political, regulatory, and other societal issues, we believe it is important to expand the scope of Andrology and open the discussion to humanistic perspectives. We warmly welcome Professor Emmanuele A. Jannini as the first guest associate editor of Andrology and Humanities. Professor Jannini is full professor of endocrinology and medical sexology at the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Systems Medicine of the University of Rome Tor Vergata and an internationally recognized expert in andrology. He is also the author of the first article of the new section, which is dedicated to a puzzling andrological case of the Middle Age. The Abelard’s story can also be considered as a template for Andrology and Humanities manuscripts, in a section that welcomes original papers, reviews, short communications, and letters to the editor dedicated to cultural aspects of male reproduction and sexuality. In particular, the manuscripts, which will be carefully peer reviewed as per the standards of Andrology, are expected to use methodological tools that are primarily critical, or speculative but grounded on evidence, and to provide a significant historical or sociological element. Hence, the titles we expect to publish in the new Section may include the andrological aspect of sociopsychology, literature, philosophy, history, archaeology, anthropology, human geography, law, religion, and art.

For submission, the regular link -wiley.atyponrex.com/journal/ANDR- should be used with the appropriate flagging (Andrology and Humanities) to ensure proper handling of these submissions.

By writing this editorial, we hope to facilitate future contributions by andrologists and other scholars to these important fields, aiming to emphasize the role of andrology not only in clinical and basic research settings, but also in a broader societal and cultural context.