Immunological Aspects of Human Reproduction

Abstract

The scientific community of immunologists has been interested in immunological aspects of reproduction since the beginning of last century. Although many questions of reproductive immunology still remain unanswered, several important results have been obtained during recent years. Most importantly, the topic has achieved more wider impact than before. Presently, immunology of human reproduction involves not only the interaction between the maternal immune system and the fetus-placenta status, but also many diverse aspects of reproduction ranging from human gametogenesis to immuno(epi)genetic aspects of diseases of the reproductive system of females and males. Since fertility rates are falling in many countries implying wider usage of various assisted reproduction technologies to overcome reproductive failure, the topic of immunology of human reproduction is receiving increasing attention. Conversely, immunology journals are publishing more papers on every aspect of the immunology of reproduction. The completion of this special issue of Clinical and Developmental Immunology is a good example.