Authors submitting to a special issue should review the thematic scope and follow JFB submission standards. Special issues follow the same peer review and production workflow as regular submissions.

• Confirm scope fit with the special issue theme
• Prepare data and code availability statements
• Document biomarker methods and outcome definitions
• Ensure figures and tables are publication ready
• Prepare a cover letter referencing the special issue

Clearly indicate the special issue title in the cover letter and manuscript metadata. This helps editors route the submission to the correct guest editor team.

All special issue submissions undergo initial screening for scope fit, ethical compliance, and data transparency. Submissions that do not align with the theme may be redirected to the regular journal track.

• Align your abstract with the stated theme
• Highlight clinical or translational impact
• Provide clear biomarker and outcome context
• Include data availability details for rapid screening
• Define the fertility biomarker research gap the special issue addresses.
• Provide a rationale for guest editor expertise and topic coverage.
• Specify anticipated article types and approximate submission volume.
• Outline peer review timelines and editorial decision workflows.
• Describe outreach plans to reproductive medicine and fertility societies.
• Identify data reporting standards required for submissions.
• Clarify whether cross disciplinary submissions are in scope.
• List any planned invited contributions or consortium partners.
• Provide proposed metrics for impact or clinical relevance.
• Describe data harmonization requirements for multicenter submissions.
• Specify expected submission window and targeted publication date.
• Note any regulatory or guideline considerations for topic areas.
• Specify how guest editors will manage conflicts of interest.
• Outline plans for an editorial introduction or synthesis article.
• Describe collaboration with registries or clinical networks.
• Provide criteria for invited versus open submissions.
• Include data reporting checklists for biomarker or omics studies.
• State plans for dissemination to clinical stakeholders.
• Describe plans for consensus statements or clinical guidelines.
• Include expectations for biomarker data reporting consistency.
• Outline strategies to recruit multidisciplinary contributors.
• Provide plans for patient centered outcomes reporting.
• Specify whether imaging or omics datasets will be shared.
• Describe integration with ongoing clinical trials or registries.
• Outline dissemination plans for clinical audiences.
• Describe expectations for systematic review contributions.
• Provide plans for imaging or assay standardization across sites.

JFB is committed to rigorous, transparent publishing in fertility biomarker research and reproductive medicine. We emphasize reproducible laboratory methods, clear reporting of diagnostic criteria, and ethical compliance across all article types.

The editorial office supports authors, editors, and reviewers with clear guidance and responsive communication. For questions about scope or workflow, contact [email protected].

We encourage continuous improvement in reporting practices and share updates that help the community maintain high standards in biomarker validation, reproductive outcomes, and translational fertility science.