Clinical Andrology

Laboratory Head
Professor Rob McLachlan MBBS FRACP PhD
> Profile

About this Laboratory

This laboratory undertakes both basic and clinical research activities in male reproductive health. We aim to understand the factors regulating sperm production and why this process fails (infertility) and how it can be reversibly and reliably suppressed (contraception). Testosterone has important roles across life and we seek to understand its role in ageing, diabetes and other settings.

Related to Research Themes

Men's Health , Cardiovascular Disease , Genes & Healthy Development

Current Research

Genetics of male infertility - We are researching the importance of DNA changes, genetic instability and epigenetic imprinting as causes of male infertility. Importantly this research also has consequences for understanding the impact of Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ART) on the health of the next generation.
Developing new reversible male contraceptives - Sex hormone treatment is a promising reversible contraceptive that acts by stopping the pituitary hormone drive needed for sperm production. We are assessing its clinical efficacy and also examining other potential target for non-hormonal methods such as the disruption of cell junctions within the seminiferous epithelium.
Testosterone replacement therapy in obese men - We are conducting studies of testosterone therapy in middle-aged and older men with an emphasis on its effects on visceral adiposity and markers of cardiovascular risk.