The study, which will be formally launched in Copenhagen this week, will explore issues such as whether chemicals in the environment interfere with reproductive development in the womb, and consider evidence that exposure to these chemicals can also increase the incidence of some cancers, especially testicular and breast cancer.

As part of the collaboration the University of Aberdeen will lead one of three major studies examining chemicals that we are exposed to every day, such as compounds produced naturally by plants and synthetic compounds used in plastics and pesticides, and consider how they mimic or interfere with our hormones.

Dr Paul Fowler, senior lecturer in Reproductive Physiology at the University of Aberdeen and the principal investigator in the Reproductive Effects of Environmental Chemicals in Females (REEF) study, said: “For more than 60 years there has been increasing concern over the impact of chemicals in the environment that may interfere with the development of the male and female baby in the womb.

“These chemicals are derived from a variety of industrial, commercial and agricultural sources and they have the potential to affect the development of the male and female reproductive system.”

He said that there is “considerable evidence” in domestic and wildlife species of male and female reproductive development being affected by hormone-like chemicals prior to birth, which in turn affects reproductive function in the adult. However, he said that while there is “increasing” evidence of this also occurring in humans, so far the bulk of the evidence concerns male reproductive development.

As a result, he said their study will focus on the impact on female reproductive development in both humans and animals.

He said: “Although less is known about the effects of environmental chemicals on the developing female foetus, the consequences for reproductive development in females may be greater than in males. For example, females exposed to chemicals in the womb may have reduced fertility, poorer health and, potentially, an earlier onset of menopause.”

He added: “We have evolved through many millions of years of being exposed to natural chemicals from plants, forest fires, volcanic activity and so on. But what is new is the unparalleled numbers of synthetic chemicals that we are exposed to nowadays and some of these are very difficult for the body to break down.

“The developing foetus is particularly sensitive to chemicals so what we hope to do is determine whether, these are linked, to a greater or lesser extent, to our exposures to environmental chemicals, particularly in the light of declining sperm counts and an increase in breast cancer.”