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Aims and scope

Aims and scope

Biology of Sex Differences is unlike any other scientific journal: articles focus on sex differences in all aspects of an individual or organism. Everything from molecules to behavior and from studies of cellular function to clinical research studies are reported in this journal. Biology of Sex Differences aims to improve understanding of basic biological principles mediating sex differences and foster development of therapeutic and diagnostic tools that are sex-dependent. To the extent that gender influences biological outcomes, this journal also is interested in research addressing gender differences. Articles are expected to report results that directly compare sex/gender differences in the statistical analysis.

Biology of Sex Differences addresses a broad audience of readers. Articles are expected to report and discuss their findings using language that is accessible to non-specialists in the field, please minimize discipline-specific jargon. The Title and Abstract should be understandable to non-specialists. The novelty of the findings should be clear to all readers, non-experts as well as experts. To this end the use of abbreviations should also be kept to a minimum. We now require a Plain English summary in addition to the Abstract.

Studies that investigate a mechanism or system mediating sex differences are a priority for consideration in Biology of Sex Differences. Manuscripts reporting an observed sex differences that do not test a well-argued specific hypothesis, or are reporting results in a limited population or a specific animal model, are less likely to be considered of interest to our readers. Articles that report or review research that integrates information across topic areas are welcome.

Topical areas of research include, but are not limited to, the biology of sex differences in:

•    Addiction
•    Aging
•    Cancer
•    Cardiovascular Disease
•    Clinical Disorders and Treatments
•    Development
•    Immunology
•    Infectious Disease
•    Environmental Health Exposures
•    Genetics/Epigenetics
•    Mental Health
•    Metabolism/Diabetes
•    Microbiome
•    Musculoskeletal System
•    Neurodegeneration
•    Neuroendocrinology
•    Neurology
•    Neuroscience
•    Nutrition
•    Physiology
•    Pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes
•    Menopause/Andropause
•    Respiratory health and Disease
•    Stress
•    Systems Biology 


This open access Springer Nature journal is the highly respected journal of the Organization for the Study of Sex Differences, and is co-published with the Society for Women’s Health Research.For further information about the material covered by Biology of Sex Differences, please see our “Submissions Guideline” below and to view details of our Editorial Board Members, please visit the “Editorial Board” page.