Social Network Analysis of Scientific Collaboration in the Field of Reproductive Biology in Iran

In the recent decades, emerging and novel issues have been proposed in the field of reproductive biology leading to increased scientific outputs by scholars. Accordingly, this study sought to identify the scientific trend, the key contributors in this regard, and trend of subjects of research in the field of reproductive biology in Iran.
In this applied and descriptive study, the available literature on embryology and reproductive biology was examined using scientometrics and network analysis methods. The study population consisted of all articles published by Iranian researchers in the field of reproductive biology and indexed in ISI database between 1973 and 2014.
The results showed that Iranian scientific output on reproductive biology began with an article in 1973, reaching the total number of 2805 published articles in 2014. Tehran University of Medical Sciences, with 457 publications, is the most important contributor. American and British authors have had the largest number of collaboration with Iranian researchers. Moreover, pregnancy risk factor was the most important research area.
The scientific outputs of Iranian researchers in reproductive biology shows an uptrend since the year 2000, which can be attributed to scientific development programs. American and British authors are the key collaborators of Iranian researchers. ýHence, greater attention to and collaboration with these countries can result in stronger scientific ties in the field of reproductive biology in Iran.