Advanced paternal age

Advanced paternal age refers to the age of a father at the time of conception of his child. It is a topic of interest in the fields of medical genetics and reproductive medicine due to its potential impact on the health and development of offspring.

Definition

There is no universally agreed upon age at which a father is considered "advanced" in age. However, many studies define advanced paternal age as being 40 or older at the time of conception, while others use a threshold of 50 years.

Effects on Fertility

Advanced paternal age can have a significant impact on male fertility. As men age, there is a decline in semen quality, including decreases in sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. This can lead to decreased fertility and increased time to pregnancy.

Genetic Risks

Children conceived by older fathers are at an increased risk for certain genetic disorders. This is due to an increase in de novo mutations in sperm as men age. Disorders associated with advanced paternal age include autism, schizophrenia, Achondroplasia, and certain forms of cancer.

Other Health Risks

In addition to genetic risks, children of older fathers may also be at an increased risk for other health conditions. These include low birth weight, preterm birth, and neonatal mortality.

Mitigating Risks

There are several strategies that can be used to mitigate the risks associated with advanced paternal age. These include genetic counseling, prenatal screening, and the use of assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

See Also

• Maternal age effect
• Paternal age effect
• Genetic counseling
• Assisted reproductive technology