History - American Society of Andrology: Its Beginnings

              AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANDROLOGY
ITS BEGINNINGS
The term ANDROLOGY was introduced in 1951 by Harald Siebke, a Professor of
Gynecology in Bonn, Germany. However, many years passed before the term gained
acceptance. It was not until 1969 when, due to the efforts of Dr Carl Schirren of
Hamburg, that the first scientific journal dedicated to the subject titled
ANDROLOGIE initiated its publication in West Germany (Schirren, 1985). Now,
ANDROLOGY is recognized as an area of science and medicine which fosters a
multidisciplinary and multifaceted approach to the study of male reproduction.
ANDROLOGY encompasses both basic and clinical sciences. It includes research in
biochemistry, genetics, histology, immunology, molecular biology, pathology,
pharmacology, physiology and endocrinology. It also includes urology, microsurgery,
gynecology, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychology and animal husbandry.
The American Society of Andrology came into being, not as an isolated devel­opment
but, as a consequence of events promoted by individuals deeply committed
to the study of male reproduction. The first of these events, took place in the
U.S.A., when Drs W. O. Nelson and CH. LeBlond, suggested that a Club of scien­tists
interested in the study of male reproduction be organized. At that time,
Dr E. Steinberger became actively involved in the organization of the Club which
held its first meeting in 1968. The Club became known as the Warren O. Nelson
Club and held -meetings for the following four years. Although it was proposed that
the Club become a society, the idea did not materialize.
The second event which occurred abroad in 1970., was the establishment of the
Comite Internacional de Andrologia, better known as CIDA, whose tireless founders
were Drs A. Puigvert, of Barcelona, Spain, and Dr R. E. Mancini, of Buenos Aires,
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