Man's Ability to Have Kids is Dependent on His Age

Man's Ability to Have Kids is Dependent on His Age



Written by Theresa Maher
Monday, 07 July 2008
MONDAY, July 7, (News Locale) - Contrary to popular perception, a man is not able to have kids anytime he wishes. New research out of France indicates male fertility is also dependent on age and men who delay fatherhood may have a tough time conceiving later on.

It is believed that unlike women, men have no biological clock and can father children throughout their life. In fact it is not uncommon to see celebrities having babies well after they have crossed their 50s.

Now researchers at the Eylau Centre for Assisted Reproduction in Paris have revealed men who delay fatherhood have a less chance of impregnating their partners.

The study of more than 20,000 couples who sought fertility help at the center found men over the age of 35 are almost a third less likely to conceive as compared to their younger counterparts. Furthermore men over the age of 40 had poor quality of sperm, which could lead to frequent miscarriages in their partners. In fact the risk of miscarriage if the father was over the age of 40 was 75 percent.

Researchers believe the DNA in sperm starts to decay with age and this may be the cause of fertility issues in older men.

The details of the study were presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference.

An earlier study by Danish researchers had revealed kids born to older fathers were more likely to die before they entered adulthood when compared to kids born to younger fathers. This incidence was attributed to the declining quality of sperm due to ageing.

The scientists found that congenital defects like heart and spine problems were the main cause of death in these children.

Additionally the risk of autism, epilepsy or schizophrenia also increased in these kids, which led to accidental deaths as well, the researchers had reported in the European Journal of Epidemiology.
Consumers must be aware that the mother's age has always been associated with pregnancy complications. The above study provides evidence that a father's age may also have a say in conception.