Effects of Advanced Paternal Age on Reproduction and Outcomes in Offspring

Abstract

The interest in parental aging and reproductive outcomes has increased significantly with the change in societal structure and age at family planning. Although the effect of advanced maternal age on obstetric and neonatal morbidities is well established, the effect of advanced paternal age needs additional exploration in association with adverse reproductive outcomes. Some studies suggest that the sperm of fathers with advanced age harbor germline mutations that influence reproductive, neonatal, and adult health outcomes of the progeny. Data on the contribution of advanced paternal age to spontaneous abortion, postconceptual age, birth weight, and neonatal mortality depends on the population and the design of the study. There is stronger evidence that advanced paternal age contributes significantly to congenital malformations and the health of the offspring in adolescence and adulthood with an increased risk of cancer, neurologic disorders, and cardiac diseases. In this review, we summarize the results of different studies that address the effect of advanced paternal age on reproductive outcomes and the origin of illnesses in adulthood. We also discuss possible mechanisms and theories behind these potential associations.