Exploring the mysteries of reproductive health.

Reproductive health is an important factor in coordinated development of the population, economy, and society and has attracted increasing global attention. Reproductive health is also among the core contents of China’s population health strategy, and improving maternal and child health is a central component of realizing the Healthy China 2030 agenda [1]. Currently, the population of people in China who are fertile and of childbearing age is decreasing, and the incidence of birth defects is high. Therefore, determining the molecular basis of fertility establishment and maintenance as well as the physiological and pathological regulationmechanisms of fertility are theoretical cornerstones for further understanding life. This information can also be used to diagnose and treat various reproductive-related diseases, effectively improve infertility, and improve the health of children. The key steps of the reproductive process include gamete development, maturation, fertilization, early embryo development, embryo implantation, and pregnancy maintenance. Research on fertility and reproductive health involves analysis of the physiological regulationmechanismof each step of reproductive development, various diseases and birth defects caused by disorders in reproductive development, and the programming mechanism of offspring health in both the shortand long-term (Figure 1). In this issue, several outstanding scientists summarize recent research progress in studies of reproductive health from various perspectives to provide an overview of the frontiers and trends in this field.