Pregnancy
Men Have A Biological Clock Too
Researchers uncovered this one after studying eggs conceived with IVF. Reportedly, the eggs came from young, healthy donors, giving scientists adequate space to study the quality of the sperm. Chances for conception declined by up to 7% with each year of a man’s age between 41 and 45. After 45, chances for fatherhood narrowed even more.
A 41-year-old male had a 60% success rate while a 45 year old had just 35%. The average age at which IVF was unsuccessful for men was age 45. Daily Mail reports:
While men constantly make fresh sperm, the “machinery” that makes it can slow down and become defective over time. In addition, genetic errors may creep into sperm as men get older.
However, just to ensure that hopeful mothers do in fact face worse fertility odds, Dr. Richard Sherbahn noted that the viability of eggs is far more important. He told the publication that IVF can “compensate” for many of the problems that arise in sperm in a way that isn’t quite possible yet for eggs.
Gee, thanks.
(photo: Shutterstock)