Andrology--development and future. Critical remarks after 45 years of medical practice

The development of andrology from its beginning to the present time is discussed from a historical point of view. Since andrology is a clinical discipline, only well-trained physicians are allowed to investigate and treat patients. The term 'andrology', which was first introduced in the USA more than 100 years ago, was independently reborn in Germany and thereafter used in other European countries. Since then, an increasing number of physicians all over the world have applied the term 'andrology' for their professional work. Many local societies and groups of andrologists were established. In 1969, Andrologia was founded as the first international journal of andrology in Germany. In the meantime, further andrological journals have been established. Concerning the future development of andrology, the following should be considered: (i) the organizational structure of andrology must include the basic training of physicians working in this field; (ii) the necessity of andrology as a medical specialty with regard to modern technologies of assisted reproduction etc., must be emphasized; (iii) internationally accepted recommendations for the training of andrologists with special reference to both clinical andrology and laboratory techniques should be established; (iv) andrology should be established as a separate specialty.