FABER cohort: male reproductive health in Switzerland

Objectives of the study

A major objective of the study is to determine the reasons for the decline in fertility observed in many countries around the world. This decline is attributable in part to a decline in sperm quality that has been observed over the past few decades. This is a short period of time, which suggests that the causes of the decline in male fertility are due to our lifestyle and environmental factors rather than genetic causes. The many chemicals in our environment, including endocrine disruptors, can potentially have adverse effects on the male reproductive system. No studies to assess sperm quality have been undertaken in Switzerland so far.

For this reason, a large-scale study was initiated in 2005 within the framework of the National Research Program NRP50, with the aim of collecting data from 3000 volunteers. In order to avoid selection bias, young, healthy participants from all geographical and linguistic regions of Switzerland were approached during recruitment for military service in the different recruitment centers in Switzerland. These participants are included in the study on a voluntary basis with the help of the Army Medical Service. The anonymity of the participants is fully guaranteed by assigning a study number to each volunteer. The data collected are analyzed by a team of Swiss and foreign biologists, doctors, and researchers and are used for scientific purposes only.

The main objectives of the study are to

to analyze the sperm quality of 3'000 volunteers presenting themselves at the various recruitment centers in Switzerland,
to determine the influence of geographical birthplace and living location on the main parameters of the sperm test,
to establish potential links between data from detailed questionnaires addressed to the volunteer and his mother and sperm parameters,
to evaluate the incidence of malformations and cancers of the reproductive system,
to determine, in a survey 15 years after their participation, whether the volunteers conceived and if so, spontaneously or through assisted reproduction.