CA20119 - European andrology network– research coordination, education and public awareness (ANDRONET)

ANDRONET aims to boost research collaboration, education and public awareness in andrology, a field of science that deals with male health. Currently there are no European- or world-wide networks through which researchers and clinicians in andrology can interact. The need for such a network is urgent due to the increasing incidence of infertility and testicular cancer, worrying reports of an association of poor reproductive function with poor health, and male predisposition to serious diseases, including Covid-19, leading to shorter life expectancy in men. Male infertility is common, but the patients are currently treated through assisted reproduction technology with primary burden on women. The aetiology of male reproductive problems is heterogeneous and comprises complex interactions between multiple genes and epigenetic factors, with largely unknown impact of environmental factors including infections. This COST Action proposes to increase multidisciplinary research collaboration and data exchange among andrology centres, and transfer of knowledge to European countries with less developed research. The initial consortium includes centres comprising complementary clinical and research expertise at a very high level, but ANDRONET will expand to reach a critical mass necessary for obtaining new knowledge and its possible commercial exploitation across Europe. ANDRONET aims to improve professional education in andrology which is fragmented among several medical branches and will contribute to the recognition of andrology as a medical subspecialty at European level. ANDRONET will strive to properly inform the public with evidence-based knowledge and thereby increase awareness of increasing male health problems and contribute to development of preventive measures.