Select Topics in Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Mammalian Reproduction

Dear Colleagues,

All living organisms must reproduce in some way. In mammals, the reproductive process includes the formation and maturation of the sperm (males) and eggs (females), fertilization, implantation, and embryonic/placental/fetal development, parturition and lactation. The molecular and cellular mechanisms of these processes are largely unknown. The major organs of the reproductive system include external genitalia (penis and vulva) and some internal organs, including the gonads (testes and ovaries), which produce gametes. The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these developmental and reproductive organ functions are limited in many areas. Further, genetic factors, hormones and environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals all have major impacts on reproduction, and human reproductive disorders are very common and widespread. It is essential to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of not only the reproductive processes of reproductive organs, but also their development. Against this background, this Special Issue aims to provide an overview of advances in reproduction, with a particular focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying reproductive organ development and their reproductive processes required for the successful procreation of mammalian species. Research articles and reviews summarizing the state of the art on special topics in this broad area are welcome. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, mechanisms of reproductive organ formation, sexual differentiation and function.

Furthermore, genetic and/or hormonal control of reproductive organ development, sexual differentiation, and function, fertilization, implantation, placentation, parturition and lactation are also of relevance. This can include, but is not limited to, studies linking molecular mechanisms to reproductive organ-related human disease, and also studies that include whole-genome genetic or epigenomic analyses.

Dr. Zhengui Zheng
Dr. Brent M. Bany
Dr. Liang Ma
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.