Author｜Yan Hao
Source｜Medical World Obstetrics and Gynecology Channel
With the full implementation of the two-child policy in my country, and the rapid development of the social economy, culture, and assisted reproductive technology since the 13th Five-Year Plan, older men who previously had only one child or had no children are beginning to have fertility needs. However, the fertility of older men and the health risks to their offspring still warrant attention!
From April 11th to 14th, 2019, the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) Congress was held in China for the first time. Professor Sun Fei, Dean of the School of Medicine at Nantong University, delivered a brilliant speech entitled "Advanced Male Age and Offspring Health." Let's take a look at Professor Sun's opinions and suggestions on male fertility at an advanced age.
Challenges faced by older men in fertility
Due to societal factors, Chinese men generally prioritize career development before starting a family. However, dedicating themselves to their careers for too long often means missing the optimal time for childbearing. Furthermore, many young couples face significant life pressures and do not plan to have children in their youth. Failing to have children within the appropriate age range means that by the time they desire children, they are already middle-aged or even elderly. So, what impact does an older father have on his children?
A French study tells us that a 35-year-old man from Paris, France, experienced a 32% decrease in sperm density over a 17-year period from 1989 to 2005, a decline of almost 1.9% per year.
So what exactly causes the continuous decline in sperm density?
Professor Sun Fei shared that decreased sperm density is mainly related to three factors: firstly, environmental factors; secondly, lifestyle issues, as many men have bad habits such as smoking and drinking, and are also troubled by obesity, all of which affect sperm density. Additionally, sperm density is also related to genetics.
What are the adverse effects of advanced maternal age on the health of offspring?
What health problems might the offspring of elderly men experience? Numerous scholars have conducted related research. Currently, the main recognized impact on offspring is cognitive neurological disorders, such as autism and bipolar disorder.
Professor Sun Fei emphasized that the risk of offspring with mental illness is far higher for older men than for men of childbearing age. Clinical research published in *JAMA psychiatry*, a sub-journal of the prestigious medical journal *JAMA*, indicates that older men increase the risk of their offspring having autism.
Basic research published in the journal Genes, Brain and Behavior corroborates this view. They used 10-month-old and 12-month-old mice as experimental groups and 2-month-old mice as control groups to demonstrate that the offspring of 12-month-old male mice have autistic tendencies.
Meanwhile, multiple experiments have shown that older male mice lead to decreased memory and activity levels in their offspring:
An experiment called conditional fear testing showed that, in mice, the father's age significantly affected the offspring's fear-related memories.
The "water maze" experiment showed that spatial learning and memory abilities are impaired in the offspring of older male mice. Besides affecting the cognitive function of offspring, the offspring of older men may also exhibit glucose metabolism disorders; experiments have shown elevated fasting blood glucose levels in the offspring of older mice. These are all potential adverse effects of older men fathering children.
What measures can be taken to avoid the risks of childbirth at an advanced age?
Since having children at an advanced age carries certain health risks, measures need to be taken to mitigate these risks when facing high fertility demands. Professor Sun Fei shared some measures to avoid the risks of having children at an advanced age and offered advice on this topic:
1. Women who give birth at an advanced age have a higher risk of developing glucose metabolism disorders in their offspring, especially the first generation, which requires attention.
2. Body weight can serve as an auxiliary phenotype for glucose metabolism disorders in older male offspring and may be of screening significance for offspring with metabolic abnormalities.
3. The risks associated with advanced age can be mitigated by having children with the third generation. Avoiding having children with people of similar background (i.e., also of advanced age) can help avoid these risks.
Although modern assisted reproductive technologies can reduce the incidence of various diseases in offspring of older men, offspring may still experience various health problems when older men have children. For the sake of your own health and that of your future generations, it is better to have children at an appropriate age. Therefore, "starting a family first and then establishing a career" is a wise choice.
The above content is exclusively authorized for use only and may not be reproduced without the copyright holder's authorization.
