Christopher Lowther Robert Barratt

STUDY QUESTION: What is the sustained impact of master’s programs in reproductive science and medicine in meeting the growing global demand for expertise in this field? SUMMARY ANSWER: This study provides quantitative data supporting the value of master’s degree programs in providing students with educational experiences to meet the increasing demands for a well-trained workforce of reproductive scientists. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Master’s programs focused on reproduction–ranging from animal science, clinical embryology, and reproductive health and biology–are expanding around the globe, providing students with a degree beyond the bachelor’s or its equivalent and are an alternative or bridge to other advanced degrees. However, the impact of these programs in creating a well-trained next generation of reproductive scientists to support workforce needs and advance the field has not been systematically investigated. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: We performed a web search to define the landscape of master’s programs offered across the globe. We also convened a meeting (Global Perspectives: A Think Tank for MS Programs in Reproductive Science and Medicine at Northwestern University on 24–25 June 2024) to establish a network between four master’s programs (two in the United States and two in Europe), including the Master at Northwestern University (USA), at University of Dundee (United Kingdom), at Colorado State University (USA), and at the University of Murcia (Spain). These programs are established at public and private institutions, are varied with respect to class size and duration, and span focus areas ranging from veterinary to human reproductive health to Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). We obtained and analyzed enrollment and outcome data from the four featured master’s programs to determine the profile of students who pursue these master’s degrees in reproductive science and determine how they contribute to the field post-degree. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: The study relied on self-reported data from each participating program. The programs were selected because they represent a cross-section of established master’s programs in reproduction that have collectively trained almost 1000 students since 2004. We analyzed enrollment and outcome data from these four established master’s programs. Programs reported on student outcomes post-degree, including job categories, job titles, employers, and other impact (e.g. publications, awards and honors, and grants and independent funding). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Master’s programs in reproduction and related fields are on the rise, with the number of programs having almost doubled from 73 in 2022 to 145 in 2025. The four featured programs reported on at least 9 years of retrospective data. The University of Murcia program started in 2004, Colorado State University in 2013, University of Dundee in 2014, and Northwestern in 2016. To date, these programs have trained 366, 210, 244, and 108 individuals, respectively, with average class sizes for each program ranging between 12 and 22 students. Most students across programs (81% cumulatively) are female. The programs based in the USA primarily attract US students, whereas the programs in the United Kingdom and Spain have a more global footprint. Students matriculate into programs with academic backgrounds in life sciences and related fields and have obtained prior degrees in broadly defined fields including biology, chemistry, animal sciences, and medicine. After students complete their master’s degrees, they are generally continuing within the reproductive science and medicine pipeline with careers spanning: advanced training (e.g. PhD, MD, and DVM programs), clinical careers (e.g. embryology and andrology), research careers (e.g. scientist or faculty), and careers in industry and education. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Our study is limited to four master’s programs that were invited to the Global Perspectives: A Think Tank for MS Programs in Reproductive Science and Medicine meeting. The analysis performed here can serve as a basic template for tracking student profiles and outcomes across all existing programs, so that we can glean a more wholistic understanding of the impact of master’s degrees programs in reproductive science and medicine. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This study provides quantitative data supporting the value of master’s degree programs in providing students with educational experiences to meet the increasing demands for a well-trained workforce of reproductive scientists. This work lays the foundation for establishing a formal consortium of master’s programs in reproductive science whereby prospective data can be collected in a standardized way across programs, alumni outcomes tracked, and an educational network created. This could be of value in disciplines where there is an increasing trend toward accreditation and adherence to legal frameworks, such as reproductive medicine and embryology. FUNDING: This work was supported by institutional funds from the Center for Reproductive Science, the Thomas J. Watkins Endowment, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University (F.E.D.) and the Makowski Family Endowment, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CU Anschutz School of Medicine (T.R.K.). DISCLOSURES: C.L.R.B. is Co-Editor-in-Chief of Human Reproduction; he is a faculty member and deputy program lead for one of the courses discussed in this article (Dundee) for which salary is paid by the University of Dundee. All other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Not applicable.

In this article, we detail our latest findings towards developing diversified series of potential non-hormonal contraceptive compounds using a phenotypic screening approach against human sperm. Phenotypic screening of nine compound libraries (88,773 compounds in total) was conducted using an in-house automated robotic screening platform, allowing quantification of sperm motility in samples pre-treated with the compounds. From these screens, 9 chemical series were identified and investigated in hit expansion programs, with a particular focus on identifying chemical matter that selectively reduces sperm motility without any significant cytotoxicity in somatic cells (HepG2 cells). The compounds discussed in this paper could be useful tool compounds for research into non-hormonal contraceptives.

STUDY QUESTION: Can a core outcome set be developed through a global consensus to standardize outcome selection, collection, comparison, and reporting in future male infertility trials? SUMMARY ANSWER: A minimum dataset, known as a ‘core outcome set’, has been developed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews evaluating potential interventions for male infertility. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Numerous factors, including a failure to consider the perspectives of men with lived experiences of infertility or their partners when developing and conducting RCTs can limit their clinical utility. Selection of outcomes, variations in outcome definitions, and the selective reporting of outcomes based on statistical analysis make the results of infertility research challenging to interpret, compare, and implement. For male infertility, this is further compounded by there being potentially three participants, the male, their female partner, and any offspring born, all with outcomes to be reported. This has led to significant heterogeneity in trial design and reporting. While a core outcome set for general infertility trials has been developed, there is no such outcome set for male infertility trials. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A two-round Delphi survey (334 participants from 39 countries) and consensus development workshops (44 participants from 21 countries). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Healthcare professionals, researchers, and men and women with infertility were brought together in a transparent process using formal consensus science methods. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The core outcome set for male infertility trials has been developed by the inclusion of specific male-factor outcomes in addition to the general infertility core outcome set. These outcomes include assessment of semen using the World Health Organization recommendations for semen analysis; viable intrauterine pregnancy confirmed by ultrasound (accounting for singleton, twin, and higher multiple pregnancies); pregnancy loss (accounting for ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination of pregnancy); live birth; gestational age at delivery; birthweight; neonatal mortality; and major congenital anomaly. Although not a requirement as part of the core outcome set, other outcomes were identified as potentially useful in certain study settings. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: We used consensus development methods in this work, which have inherent limitations, including the representativeness of the participant sample, Delphi survey attrition, and an arbitrary consensus threshold. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Embedding the core outcome set within RCTs and systematic reviews should ensure the comprehensive selection, collection, and reporting of core outcomes, which are inconsistently reported at present. Research funding bodies, the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) statement, and over 80 specialty journals, including the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group, Fertility and Sterility and Human Reproduction, have committed to implementing this core outcome set for male infertility trials. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This work was funded by The Urology Foundation, Small Project Fund awarded to Michael P Rimmer at the University of Edinburgh, UK. RTM was supported by a United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowship (MR/Y011783/1). C.L.R.B. is the co-editor in chief of Human Reproduction and recipient of a BMGF grant and received consultancy fees from Exscentia and Exceed sperm testing, paid to the University of Dundee and speaking fees or honoraria paid personally by Ferring, Copper Surgical and RBMO. R.P.B. receives royalties from Flow diagnósticos. M.L.E. is an advisor to the companies Hannah, Illumicell, Next, Legacy, Doveras, Vseat and received a consultancy fee for this. B.W.M. is a paid consultant for Norgine and Organon and has received research funding from Ferring and Merck, he also receives consultancy and travel support from Merck. R.R.H. received royalties from Elsevier for a book, consultancy fees from Glyciome, and presentation fees from GryNumber Health and Aytu Bioscience. Attendance at Fertility 2020 and Roadshow South Africa by Ralf Henkel was funded by LogixX Pharma Ltd. R.R.H. is also Editor in Chief of Andrologia and has been an employee of LogixX Pharma Ltd. since 2020. M.S.K. has been an associate editor with Human Reproduction Open. K.Mc.E. received funding to attend Fertility 2025 by the British Fertility Society and is the Chair of the British Fertility Society. He is a member of the HFEA’s Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee and a Committee Member of the NICE Fertility Problems Guideline Group. M.H.V.L. receives consultation fees for the WHO Manual Spanish translation, and travel expenses for the ESHRE MRHI meeting in Budapest. She is a member of the editorial board for Fertility & Sterility, F&S Science, Human Reproduction, and Frontiers in Endocrinology. She is also a panel member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Human Reproduction Programme (HRP) Research Project Review Panel. R.S.M. is a member of the NICE Guideline Committee on Fertility and former chair of the British Fertility Society. A. Perheentupa receives an honoraria for lecturing from Merck for the Tackling Infertility manifest, Gedeon Richter & Ferring. A. Perheentupa declares lecture honoraria from Merck, Gideon Richter, and Ferring; and payment from Merck for the Tackling Infertility manifesto. A. Pacey receives consultancy fees for Carrot Fertility and Cryos International as well as lecturing for IBSA Institut Biochimique SA and Mealis Group—all fees paid to The University of Manchester. He is also a Trustee of Progress Educational. Trust (Charity Number 1139856) and Chairman of UKNEQAS Reproductive Sciences Advisory Committee. F.T. is the recipient...