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Decline in human fertility rates with male age: a consequence of a decrease in male fecundity with aging?
Roberto Matorras1, Francisco Matorras, Antonia Expósito
1Human Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital de Cruces, Basque Country University, Baracaldo, Spain. roberto.matorras @ osakidetza.net
Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation
|December 17, 2010
Summary
Male fertility declines exponentially after age 35, independent of female age. This male aging effect shows a significant annual decrease in human fertility rates.
Area of Science:
- Demography
- Reproductive Health
- Gerontology
Background:
- Investigating the impact of paternal age on human fertility.
- Understanding demographic shifts in birth rates related to male aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the influence of male age on human fertility rates.
- To determine the age at which male fertility begins to decline.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) data from 2004 (454,753 births).
- Analyzed data stratified by male and female age groups.
- Performed adjusted analysis considering women under 30 to isolate male age effects.
Main Results:
- Male fertility decline initiated between ages 35-39.
- Observed a constant, exponential decline in male fertility (slope -0.11 to -0.12).
- Confirmed a 21-23% annual decrease in male fertility starting at age 39, even when controlling for female age.
Conclusions:
- Paternal aging leads to an exponential decrease in human fertility, irrespective of maternal age.
- This decline is likely linked to reduced male fecundity and sperm quality.
- Social and behavioral factors may also contribute to the observed fertility trends.
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