Paternal age effect

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Paternal age effect refers to the influence that a father's age has on the health and development of his offspring. This effect is due to the increased likelihood of mutations in sperm as men age. The paternal age effect has been observed in several disorders and conditions, including autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and certain types of cancer.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The paternal age effect is a term in genetics that refers to the association between paternal age at conception and risks of genetic abnormalities in the offspring. This is due to the fact that as men age, the cells that produce sperm undergo more rounds of division, which increases the chances of mutations.

Disorders and Conditions[edit | edit source]

Autism[edit | edit source]

Several studies have found a correlation between advanced paternal age and an increased risk of autism. This is thought to be due to the increased likelihood of de novo mutations in the sperm of older men.

Schizophrenia[edit | edit source]

Like autism, the risk of schizophrenia also appears to increase with paternal age. This is likely due to similar genetic factors.

Bipolar Disorder[edit | edit source]

Research has suggested that advanced paternal age is associated with an increased risk of bipolar disorder. However, more research is needed to confirm this association and understand its underlying mechanisms.

Cancer[edit | edit source]

Certain types of cancer, such as prostate cancer, have been linked to advanced paternal age. This may be due to the accumulation of mutations in sperm over time.

Mechanisms[edit | edit source]

The primary mechanism behind the paternal age effect is thought to be the accumulation of mutations in sperm-producing cells. As men age, these cells undergo more rounds of division, each of which presents an opportunity for errors to occur in the DNA replication process.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD