Sperm donor’s age doesn’t affect fertility, study says

Sperm donor’s age doesn’t affect fertility, study says


When it comes to family planning, the phrase “biological clock” is often mentioned. It’s been said that a woman’s age affects fertility more than a man’s age does, and a recent study supports that claim.

Researchers in the United Kingdom have found that a sperm donor’s age doesn’t impact the chances of a live birth when sperm is used during fertility treatments. Rather, the likelihood of conceiving is more dependent on the woman’s age.

Also, the quality of the donor sperm — and not necessarily the donor’s age — is the important factor in men.

Investigators with the Newcastle Fertility Centre in Newcastle, England, analyzed more than 39,000 fertility treatment cycles that involved donated sperm. These cycles occurred in the United Kingdom between 1991 and 2012, and included either in-virtro fertilization or donor insemination.

The live birth rate from in-vitro fertilization was nearly 30 percent among women ages 18 to 34 but only 14 percent among women older than 37. However, there was no link between the live birth rates in these two age groups and the age of the sperm donors. There were similar findings with donor insemination.

The study suggests that up to age 45, a man’s age has little effect on outcome when his sperm is used. The principal researcher said this is because sperm donors are a selected population based on “good sperm quality.”

For men who want to start a family: Whether you’re 22 or 42, know that health — and not age — appears to be the key factor in your ability to help conceive a child.

So, men, if you want to do your part in improving the odds of conception, stop smoking, drink less, eat healthy and exercise. That’s a good recipe for health no matter what your age.

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