The effect of aging on spermatogenesis and pregnancy outcomes

Until fairly recently, it had been assumed that paternal age had only a minor impact on reproductive outcome. Several recent provocative studies have raised the specter of a causal association between paternal age and significant medical conditions in the offspring. However, the observational nature of these studies leaves open the possibility that factors other than age itself may be responsible for observed results. This article reviews the available data on this topic, with an eye toward providing a basis for clinical counseling of the older man who wishes to have a child.