Professor Joy Hinson is an emeritus professor at Queen Mary University of London. She graduated from the University of London with a degree in comparative physiology before conducting research into adrenal endocrinology for her PhD and pursuing a career in research, publishing over 100 research papers, numerous reviews, and book chapters. In 2006 Joy was awarded the Doctorate of Science degree by the University of London, in recognition for the contribution she made to our understanding of the function of the adrenal cortex. Joy has taught endocrinology and reproduction to both medical students and biologists for many years and was awarded the Drapers' prize for outstanding teaching in 2009. She is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, serving since 2015 on the Education committee. Joy has co-authored books with Dr Peter Raven on The Endocrine System and Hormones, another title in the Oxford Biology Primers series.
Dr Peter Raven graduated from St Bartholomew's Medical School in 1985. During his time at Barts he gained a BSc in biochemistry, a PhD in adrenal endocrinology, and an MBBS degree. After training as a doctor, he developed an interest in psychiatry and completed his psychiatry training in 1995, winning the Gold Medal and Gaskell Prize of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 1994. Peter worked as an academic psychiatrist and Faculty Tutor at University College London until 2014. He has published extensively on both endocrinology and psychiatry, including co-authoring The Endocrine System and Hormones with Prof Hinson. He has a long-standing interest in teaching, focussing on medical students and junior doctors, and has contributed to several textbooks.

• 1: Introduction to reproduction


• 2: Gamete production


• 3: The mating game


• 4: Producing offspring


• 5: Parenting in animals


• 6: Controlling human reproduction

This primer introduces the key elements of reproduction in humans and a wide range of animals and plants. It explains why different species have evolved completely different strategies to ensure their reproductive success by placing these strategies in the context of the specific challenges that they help overcome.