Aims & Scope

International Journal of Steroids (IJS) publishes original research, reviews, and methodological advances in steroid biochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical applications, bridging molecular mechanisms with therapeutic innovation across endocrinology, oncology, and metabolic medicine.

Steroid Biochemistry Hormone Signaling Steroidogenesis Clinical Endocrinology Analytical Methods

Scope Boundary: We do NOT consider general pharmacology, non-steroid hormone research, or clinical studies without steroid-specific focus. All submissions must demonstrate direct relevance to steroid science.

Research Domains

IJS operates at the intersection of basic steroid science and clinical translation. We prioritize manuscripts that advance understanding of steroid structure, function, biosynthesis, metabolism, and therapeutic applications. Our scope encompasses molecular mechanisms, analytical innovations, and clinical outcomes research.

Tier 1: Core Domains

Steroid Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Steroid biosynthesis pathways and enzymatic regulation
Steroid metabolism, conjugation, and excretion mechanisms
Steroid receptor structure, function, and signaling cascades
Steroidogenesis in endocrine and peripheral tissues
Molecular mechanisms of steroid hormone action
Gene regulation by steroid-responsive elements

Typical fit: "CYP11A1 mutations alter pregnenolone synthesis: implications for congenital adrenal hyperplasia"

Steroid Pharmacology & Drug Development

Novel synthetic steroid design and structure-activity relationships
Glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, and sex steroid pharmacology
Steroid prodrugs and delivery systems
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of steroid therapeutics
Steroid-drug interactions and adverse effect mechanisms
Selective steroid receptor modulators (SARMs, SERMs, SPRMs)

Typical fit: "Tissue-selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist reduces inflammation without metabolic side effects"

Clinical Steroid Endocrinology

Diagnosis and management of steroid hormone disorders
Adrenal insufficiency, Cushing's syndrome, and hyperaldosteronism
Androgen excess/deficiency and reproductive endocrinology
Steroid hormone replacement therapy optimization
Steroid-induced osteoporosis and metabolic complications
Pediatric and geriatric steroid endocrinology

Typical fit: "Hydrocortisone dosing strategies in primary adrenal insufficiency: a randomized controlled trial"

Analytical & Synthetic Steroid Chemistry

Mass spectrometry and chromatographic methods for steroid analysis
Steroid synthesis, semi-synthesis, and chemical modification
Steroid metabolomics and lipidomics approaches
Quality control and standardization of steroid assays
Novel steroid scaffolds and chemical libraries
Environmental and forensic steroid detection methods

Typical fit: "LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous quantification of 15 adrenal steroids in dried blood spots"

Tier 2: Secondary Focus Areas

Steroid Oncology

Hormone-dependent cancers (breast, prostate, endometrial), steroid receptor signaling in tumorigenesis, endocrine therapy resistance mechanisms, and novel steroid-based cancer therapeutics.

Neurosteroids

Central nervous system steroid synthesis, neurosteroid modulation of neurotransmitter receptors, neuroprotective effects, and therapeutic applications in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Immunomodulatory Steroids

Glucocorticoid effects on immune cell function, steroid treatment of autoimmune diseases, anti-inflammatory mechanisms, and steroid resistance in inflammatory conditions.

Veterinary Steroid Medicine

Comparative steroid endocrinology, steroid therapeutics in animal health, reproductive management, and performance-enhancing steroid detection in livestock.

Environmental Steroids

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals with steroid activity, environmental steroid contamination, wildlife reproductive effects, and steroid degradation in ecosystems.

Steroid Biotechnology

Microbial steroid transformation, enzymatic steroid synthesis, biosensors for steroid detection, and industrial-scale steroid production methods.

Tier 3: Emerging & Interdisciplinary Areas

Selective Consideration (Additional Editorial Review)

Steroid-based nanomedicine and targeted drug delivery
Artificial intelligence in steroid structure prediction
CRISPR/gene editing of steroidogenic pathways
Steroid metabolomics in precision medicine
3D-printed steroid delivery devices
Steroid-microbiome interactions in health and disease

Note: Manuscripts in emerging areas must demonstrate substantial novelty and clear relevance to steroid science. Additional expert review may be required.

Out of Scope

Explicit Exclusions

Non-steroid hormone research Studies focused exclusively on peptide hormones (insulin, growth hormone), thyroid hormones, or catecholamines without steroid context. Rationale: Outside core steroid biochemistry scope.

General pharmacology without steroid focus Drug studies where steroids are incidental or comparative controls rather than primary research focus. Rationale: Insufficient steroid-specific contribution.

Anabolic steroid abuse case reports Individual case reports of performance-enhancing drug abuse without mechanistic insights or systematic analysis. Rationale: Limited scientific value; consider systematic reviews or mechanistic studies instead.

General endocrinology without steroid emphasis Broad endocrine studies where steroid hormones are minor components. Rationale: Better suited for general endocrinology journals.

Non-scientific content Opinion pieces without data, historical reviews without novel analysis, or promotional content. Rationale: Journal focuses on evidence-based research.

Article Types & Editorial Priorities

Priority 1

Fast-Track Review

Original Research Articles Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses Methods & Protocols Clinical Trials

Priority 2

Standard Review

Short Communications Data Notes Technical Notes Perspectives Mini-Reviews

Selective

Rarely Considered

Case Reports (exceptional only) Commentaries (invited) Letters to Editor

Editorial Standards & Requirements

Reporting Guidelines

CONSORT for clinical trials
STROBE for observational studies
PRISMA for systematic reviews
ARRIVE for animal research
MIQE for qPCR studies

Data & Transparency

Raw data deposition encouraged
Materials availability statement required
Protocol registration for clinical trials
Code availability for computational work
Conflict of interest disclosure mandatory

Ethics & Integrity

IRB/Ethics committee approval required
Informed consent documentation
Animal welfare compliance (IACUC)
Adherence to Declaration of Helsinki
Plagiarism screening via iThenticate

Preprint & Publication Policy

Preprints accepted (bioRxiv, medRxiv)
Conference abstracts do not preclude submission
Duplicate publication prohibited
Concurrent submission not permitted
Post-publication corrections supported

Decision Metrics

21 Days to First Decision

42% Acceptance Rate

35 Days to Publication

Open Access Model

Ready to Submit?

If your research advances steroid science through rigorous methodology and novel insights, we invite your submission. For scope inquiries, contact our editorial team.

Contact Editorial Office

International Journal of Steroids

International Journal of Steroids – Aim And Scope