The clock is ticking for mid-life men, who may be one-third less fertile from 50

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-08-18 14:01

International

Couples where the male was aged over 50 were one-third less likely than younger men to have a successful birth using in vitro fertilisation (IVF), according to a UK study of more than 4,200 men. The finding held irrespective of the prospective mother's age. Men over 50 had lower quality sperm, and the authors say public health messaging should encourage men to avoid delay if they are seeking to become fathers in middle age.

Media release

From: Wiley

In a study published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, couples in which the prospective father was older had a reduced likelihood of a successful birth through in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). This was true independent of the prospective mother’s age.

The study included 4,833 IVF/ICSI cycles (involving 4,271 men), with 40.8% of cycles resulting in a live birth. Compared with younger men, the probability of a live birth was 33% lower for men older than 50 years of age.

“Paternal age over 50 significantly affects the chance of achieving a live birth following assisted reproductive technology,” the authors wrote. “There should be a public health message for men to not delay fatherhood.”

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Journal/
conference: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Centre for Reproductive and Genetic Health, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK

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