Sperm of men older than 45 are linked to higher IVF crues and lower birth rates -even when young donor eggs were used

IVF where men are older than 45 are linked to increased risks for miscarriage, an investigation has shown.

Researchers discovered that the age of a man plays an important role in their reproductive success, which disputes that the age of the sperm has little impact once fertilization has taken place.

They discovered that sperm from older men also led to lower living birth rates – even when young donor eggs were used.

And experts said their results should be considered during the IVF counseling process between doctors and patients.

The study, published in the Human reproduction magazine, analyzed 1,712 egg donation cycles in six IVF centers in Italy and Spain between 2019 and 2023.

All cycles used fresh donor eggs with an average donor age of 26 and frozen sperm from male partners. The fertilized eggs were then transferred to the intended mothers, who had an average age of 43.

Participants were divided into two groups – men aged 45 or younger and those older than 45, and although the fertilizer rates and embryo development were comparable between the groups, differences emerged in the results of the pregnancies.

A miscarriage percentages – where the baby is lost before 24 weeks – were remarkably higher in couples where the male partner was older than 45 and 23.8 percent reached compared to 16.3 percent in the younger age group.

Live birth rates were also lower in the older paternal age group, with 35.1 percent versus 41 percent for men aged 45 or younger.

When discussing the findings, Dr. Maria Cristina Guglielmo, an embryologist at the Fertility Clinic Eugin Italy,: “Traditionally, the age of the mother is the central focus in reproductive medicine, but our results show that the age of the male partner also plays a crucial and independent role.”

She explained that as men get older, the continuous distribution of sperm -tribe cells increases the chance of DNA replication errors.

This in turn can affect the development of embryos and contribute to a higher risk of miscarriage, she said.

Dr. Guglielmo added: ‘Our findings underline the need for fertility clinics to use a more balanced approach that recognizes the role of paternal age.

“Clinics must ensure that male patients are informed about how promoting paternal age can influence fertility potential, pregnancy success and a miscarriage risk.”