Advanced paternal age has been found to influence IVF live birth rates more than previously thought.
Research presented in the recent annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology shows that having a male partner aged over 40 years significantly reduces the live birth rate for women aged between 35-39 years. These findings challenge the common belief that maternal age is the primary consideration for couples trying to conceive or undergoing fertility treatment.
'Clearly, it is very important that we do not ignore the paternal age when it comes to educating couples about fertility treatment outcomes. A woman's age obviously plays a large role but not all the focus should be on her biological clock,' author Professor Geeta Nargund, medical director of Create Fertility and consultant gynaecologist at St George's Hospital, London told the Guardian.
Published in Human Reproduction, the study analysed data 18,825 anonymised IVF and ICSI fresh single embryo transfer cycles from Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority data. The data showed that live birth rates dropped for men in general from 39 percent for those under 35 to 26 percent in those aged 40-44 and similar up to 55 years.
In women under 35 or over 40, consistent live birth rates were found regardless of the male partner's age. However, in women aged 35-39 these rates dropped from 33 percent to 28 percent when their male partners were under 35 and over 40 respectively.
'We know an older paternal age delays conception, reduces the fertilisation rate and can lead to increased miscarriages... But now we know that, for women in a certain age bracket, paternal age is more significant than previously thought when it comes to live birth rates,' said Professor Nargund.
As noted by the authors of this paper, the wider implications of this study may signify that oocytes in women under 35 may reduce the negative impact of older sperm on live birth rates. This could provide useful information for couples wanting to conceive, although further research is required to better understand the potential ability of both egg and sperm to repair the effects of the ageing process as well as the interaction between the ageing egg and sperm at the time of conception.
'Our increasing awareness of the influence of male fertility highlights the need to ensure fertility education both for school-age children and couples planning a family,' Kate Brian from Fertility Network UK, told the Guardian.
Sources and References
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Does advanced paternal age influence live birth rate independent of woman’s age: analysis of 18, 825 fresh IVF/ICSI cycles from a national (HFEA) database
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Male 'biological clock' can affect chances of birth more than was thought, study finds
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A father’s age affects the success of IVF treatment, with live birth rate 'significantly dropping' if the dad is over 40, study suggests
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Does advanced paternal age influence live birth rate independent of woman’s age: analysis of 18, 825 fresh IVF/ICSI cycles from a national (HFEA) database
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