[Andrology--historical retrospect and future development].

Andrology is an interdisciplinary medical speciality that deals mainly with disturbances of potentia generandi and coeundi in the male. In German-speaking countries it developed from dermatology/venerology, but in its modern form has also been influenced by urology, gynecology and endocrinology. This has resulted in the establishment of centers of reproductive medicine at various universities. The historical development of andrology in the hospital and in private practice is analysed, and future areas of focus in diagnosis and therapy are discussed.