UMR-INSERM University of Montpellier – University of Toulouse
Our team studies fertility, from the embryo to adulthood, focusing on the impact of the environment. Increasing infertility led to a national report in 2022, calling for a global approach to the problem. The dual-site team in Montpellier and Toulouse focuses on clinical and fundamental research to improve the understanding of fertility and its genetic and environmental determinants.
General overview
Our team is interested in fertility as a whole, from the embryonic period to adulthood, with particular attention paid to the impact of the environment on the latter.
The relevance of our theme is illustrated by the concern regarding the impairment of fertility observed worldwide over the last twenty years, which led to the development of a national report on the causes of infertility in 2022, led by Prof. Hamamah.
This report calls for the implementation of a national “Fertility and Reproductive Health” strategy in view of the urgent need for a global management of the problem.
The research component of this management, in which we are involved, is essential, both through clinical and more fundamental research, with the aim of improving knowledge on the physio-(pathology) of fertility (infertility), the quality of gametes and the embryo, embryonic implantation, as well as the genetic mechanisms and environmental determinants involved.
One of the strengths of our dual-site team, Montpellier-Toulouse, is having a strong hospital-university representation (3 HU at each site), allowing us to develop robust translational research based on large patient cohorts.
Furthermore, our activities are completely complementary in terms of both themes (Development and functions of the male reproductive system, Competence of gametes, embryo and implantation) and skills. Finally, we operate in a favorable scientific environment, allowing us to rely on high-level technological platforms at both sites.
”My interest in this theme stems from my involvement in pediatric endocrinology, both in the field of variations in genital development (DevGen reference center) and in that of puberty anomalies, many of which may later be associated with impaired fertility. My research activity has also long been focused on the effects of environmental endocrine pollutants (EEPs) on children's health in general and on these pathologies in particular. It is with great pleasure that I have been leading our team since early 2021, alongside Prof. Eric Huyghe. My goal is, above all, for each of its members to take real pleasure in working there and to benefit from high-quality scientific exchanges. I am committed above all to promoting enthusiasm, scientific integrity, mutual aid, and cohesion among us, as well as collaborations with other scientists. These values are, I believe, the guarantee of quality work, both on a scientific and human level, which should allow us to participate in improving the understanding of human fertility and its disorders.
Françoise PARISResponsable de l'unité DEFE
Main research areas
Area No. 1
Development and function of the male reproductive system
This area of the project focuses on:
- better understanding the mechanisms that regulate the development of the male reproductive system
- evaluating the fertility of patients with developmental anomalies of the male reproductive system
Area No. 2
Gamete Competence (Embryo and Implantation)
This area aims to:
- better understand gamete competence and the mechanisms involved in implantation
Our latest publications
Discover our scientific publications on fertility, including advances in infertility, reproductive physiology, and genetic and environmental mechanisms. Stay informed about the latest discoveries in reproductive health thanks to our INSERM research team.
