Meta-Research: A Poor Research Landscape Hinders the Progression of Knowledge and Treatment of Reproductive Diseases

Abstract

ABSTRACTReproductive diseases have gone under the radar for many years, resulting in insufficient diagnostics and treatments. Infertility rates are rising, preeclampsia claims over 70 000 maternal and 500 000 neonatal lives globally per year, and endometriosis affects 10% of all reproductive-aged women but is often undiagnosed for many years. Changes in policy have been enacted to mitigate the gender inequality in research investigators and subjects of medical research. However, the disparities in reproductive research advancement still exist. Here, we analyzed the reproductive science research landscape in attempt to quantify the gravity of the current situation. We find that non-reproductive organs are annually researched 5-20 times more than reproductive organs leading to an exponentially increasing relative knowledge gap in reproductive sciences. Additionally, reproductive organs (breast and prostate) are mainly researched when there is a disease-focus, leading to a lack of basic understanding of the reproductive organs. This gap in knowledge affects reproductive syndromes, as well as other bodily systems and research areas, such as cancer biology and regenerative medicine. Action must be taken by current researchers, funding organizations, and educators to combat this longstanding disregard of reproductive science.