A groundbreaking multi-institutional collaboration, known as MOBY.US (Male Organ Biology Yielding United Science), is uniting medical centers and researchers to strengthen and expand the scientific understanding of male infertility. The initiative, which began in 2023, brings together a team of experts led by Cleveland Clinic urologist Dr. Scott Lundy, a specialist in male fertility.
The consortium currently includes 14 hospitals, over 50 physicians, and a pool of more than 5,000 patients, with plans to grow. Since its inception, the group has already published three significant research papers and presented numerous abstracts at prominent medical conferences.
Addressing the Gap in Male Infertility Research
Despite male factors being responsible for at least half of infertility cases, research on male infertility has often lacked statistical rigor. Dr. Lundy highlights a major flaw in existing studies: many are conducted at single institutions with small sample sizes, which compromises the reliability of the results. “Science drawn from limited data is not as solid as it should be,” says Dr. Lundy.
To tackle this, the consortium pools resources from large academic and medical institutions to create a more robust and comprehensive research model. By standardizing data collection with 400 data points per patient and facilitating cross-institutional data sharing, the collaboration aims to yield more reliable findings.
The name “MOBY.US” is inspired by the iconic sperm whale Moby Dick, symbolizing the vast and profound nature of the initiative, as well as the Mobius strip, which represents the continuous and enduring nature of scientific exploration.
Collaborative and Inclusive Approach
The consortium operates with a democratic structure. “Every participant has an equal say in the direction of the research,” explains Dr. Lundy. There is no single leader; instead, all contributors share responsibility in shaping the studies and have equal access to the collected data, provided they remain actively engaged.
The consortium’s model allows for the pooling of rare patient populations across institutions. For example, a condition that might affect only a few individuals at one center over several years can be studied more effectively when multiple centers contribute data. This approach also allows for more extensive studies on common conditions like general infertility or varicocele, increasing the relevance and significance of the findings.
Research Progress and Publications
So far, the MOBY.US consortium has published significant research, including a study in Fertility and Sterility (October 2023) exploring how testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels predict improvements in semen parameters for infertile men treated with anastrozole. A second paper, published in Translational Andrology and Urology (February 2024), examined the effects of combining clomiphene citrate and anastrozole on semen quality in a multi-center cohort.
In addition, a December 2023 editorial titled “Deafening Silence of Male Infertility” was published, shedding light on the emotional and psychological struggles associated with male infertility. The editorial also addresses issues such as environmental factors, mental health, access to care, and disparities in treatment, offering a hopeful outlook on future research and emerging treatment technologies.
The consortium’s members have actively shared their findings at major medical meetings, including the 2024 conferences of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Sexual Medicine Society of North America. Abstracts have also been submitted for the upcoming American Urological Society meeting in April 2025.
Shaping the Future of Male Infertility Research
While the consortium currently focuses on collecting high-quality retrospective data, Dr. Lundy envisions a future shift toward prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which would serve as the gold standard for clinical decision-making. “We are working toward this transition, but it requires time, funding, and institutional support,” he says.
At present, the consortium has not secured external funding, and the work is being carried out through the voluntary efforts of the reproductive urologists involved. However, Dr. Lundy remains optimistic about future funding opportunities, which will be crucial for expanding the consortium’s scope and impact.
Through this pioneering initiative, MOBY.US is poised to make significant strides in understanding and treating male infertility, with the potential to transform the landscape of reproductive medicine.
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