Author - Dr. Shruti Mane 

MBBS, M.S, PG Diploma in ART AND Reproductive Medicine, FELLOWSHIP IN REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE (MUHS), Consultant - Infertility Specialist

Infertility And Aging: How it Affects Men?

Contrary to what people believe, men are not born with any fertility potion. In fact, men are also affected by ageing and experience infertility with advancing age. It is true that the reproductive years are different for both men and women. The biological clock, however, also ticks for men and impact their fertility with age. According to Dr Shruti Mane, MBBS, MS, PG Diploma in ART and Reproductive Medicine, Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine (MUHS), Consultant- Infertility Specialist¸ the peak reproductive age in men is between 30 to 35 years. This implies that the highest quality semen is produced in this particular age range. After the age of 35 years, the quality of sperms goes on a declining and the lowerst quality is produced at and aftet the age of 55 years. 

Sperm Motility and Age 

The ability of sperms to swim refers to sperm motility. For fertilization to occur, the sperm has to travel all the way from vagina to the ovaries. Since a greater path has to be traversed, the motility of sperm plays a defining role in conception. Dr Shruti Mane tells us that the sperms are most motile before the age of 25 and the lowest aftet the age of 55 years.

As mentioned above, thus, the top IVF doctor in Navi Mumbai corroborates that “good swimmers’ are produced in men between the age of 30 to 35 years. This particular age range thus can be viewed as the peak reproductive age in men.

Sperm Count, Concentration and Age

The number of sperms produced per ejaculation is called a sperm count. The lower the sperm count, the lesser are chances of you getting pregnant. It has also been found that the sperm count or the concentration of sperm per ejaculation also decreases with age. This way, it also affects your natural conception.

Genetic Problems

Age not only leads to lower quality sperms, but it also affects the genetic materials inside your sperms. When conceived in the later age, there are high chances of your baby to have genetic or chromosomal abnormalities. The common problems caused by defective sperms include: 

1. Decreased fertility. 
2. Frequent miscarriage. 
3. More birth defects. 
4. Greater chances of stillbirths.

Thus, older men do not only suffer from infertility but also pass genetic problems to their babies. Moreover, if the age of mother is also above 35 years, it can put the life of your baby at a serious risk with much higher chances of birth defects. The most common genetic defect in such cases is Down’s Syndrome. The other possible birth defects include:

• Autism. 

• Bipolar disorder. 

• Childhood leukaemia. 

• Schizophrenia. 

• Achondroplasia. 

Male Age and In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) 

The fertility specialist in Navi Mumbai observes a wide range of male infertility cases. Various couples seek help from therapies and assisted reproductive technology include IVF to conceive. The doctor observed that the age of men also affected the success or failure of IVF. Men above the age of 35 years had low sperm motility and thus produced lower quality eggs. Although, the women did get pregnant, the child still suffered from many genetic problems.

Hence, it is important to us to stop believing in old adages and accept the fact that fertility in men is affected by age. When it comes to conception, the biological clock is significant in both males and females. Going beyond a certain age or waiting too long for pregnancy deteriorates the quality of gametes in both genders.

If you are dealing with infertility or having trouble conceiving, consult Dr Shruti Mane at the Motherhood Hospitals.