Rutgers study finds older fathers endanger the health of their partners and unborn children

According to Rutgers researchers, men who are slow to start a family have "a biological clock" – just like women – that can affect the health of their partners and their children.

The study, which reviews 40 years of research on the effect of parental age on fertility, pregnancy and child health, was published in the journal Maturitas.

"Although it is widely accepted that physiological changes that occur in women after age 35 may affect conception, pregnancy, and child health, most men do not realize that their age Advanced can have a similar impact, "said Gloria Bachmann, author of the study, the Institute of Women's Health of the Rutgers School of Medicine Robert Wood Johnson.

Although the medical profession does not have a clearly accepted definition of the beginning of late paternal age – it varies between 35 and 45 years – infants born to fathers over 45 years old have increased by 10% to United States over the last 40 years, probably because of assisted human reproduction. Technology.

The study found that men aged 45 and over may experience a decline in fertility and expose their partner to an increased risk of pregnancy-related complications, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and prematurity. Infants born to older fathers had a higher risk of premature delivery, late delivery, low Apgar scores, low birth weight, increased higher incidence of neonatal seizures and congenital anomalies such as congenital heart disease and cleft palates. As we age, we have found that the likelihood of childhood cancer, psychiatric and cognitive disorders, and autism is increased in these children.

Bachmann attributes most of these findings to a natural decline in testosterone that occurs with aging, sperm degradation, and sperm quality, but pointed out that some correlations required more research. "In addition to the paternal age associated with an increased risk of male infertility, it appears that sperm undergoes other undesirable changes with aging. For example, at the same time people lose muscle strength, flexibility, and endurance, sperm also tend to lose their "fitness" over the course of their life cycle for men, "she says. declared.

The damage to sperm caused by the stress of aging can result in a decrease in the number of sperm and a change in sperm and egg that are passed from parent to offspring and are incorporated into the DNA of the cells of the spermatozoa. body of the offspring. "In addition to reducing the potential for fertilization, it can also affect the pregnancy itself, as evidenced by the increased risk of pregnancy when conception has been successful," she said.

These germ or hereditary mutations may also contribute to the association of paternal age in progression and offspring disorders, such as the diagnosis of autism and schizophrenia in these children. "Although it is well established that schizophrenia is more common among children of elderly fathers, one in 141 children with a father under 25 and one in 47 with a father over 50 – the reason is not well understood, "she said. "In addition, some studies have shown that the risk of autism began to increase when the father was 30 years old, from 40 years, then increased to 50 years."

The study also found that older men had fertility problems, even if their partner was under 25 years old.

"While women tend to be more aware and better educated than men regarding their reproductive health, most men do not consult a physician unless they have a medical problem or fertility problem. ", said Bachmann.

She recommended that doctors advise older men and older women about the effects of their age on the conception, pregnancy and health of their child. If men plan to delay paternity, they should consider sperming before their 35th birthday – or at least at age 45 – to reduce the increased risk to the health of the mother and child.

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Co-authors of the study are Nancy Phillips, associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science at Rutgers School of Medicine Robert Wood Johnson, and Leahannah Taylor, a postgraduate student at the Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.