NEW YORK, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The stigma and fear many women feel in their 30’s when they are not married, are without prospects, and are listening to their biological clock ticking down, may not just be a female phenomenon any longer.
The release of the book “The Male Biological Clock” by Dr. Harry Fisch, Director of the Male Reproductive Center at Columbia University Medical Center of New York Presbyterian Hospital and Professor of Clinical Urology at Columbia University, raises the critical issue that a man’s procreative capabilities may start deteriorating as early as his mid-thirties, which is only a few years later than the female average of age 27. This new information proposing there is a male biological clock is a significant and eye-opening fact for men and women alike, as they consider their current or future plans to start or expand their families.
Physicians and researchers have long pointed out that female and male factors contribute equally to conception difficulties and, approximately 20 percent of the time, there is a combination of both male and female factors. Beyond establishing a pregnancy, Dr. Fisch has also raised awareness that male age-related factors may contribute to genetic disorders, such as Down’s syndrome and schizophrenia, and miscarriages.
“Considering the age of our male partners as a factor when starting or growing a family has most likely never crossed anyone’s mind. It’s always been about the eggs,” said Pamela Madsen, Executive Director of The American Fertility Association. “After all, we all know of situations, some very much in the public eye, where an older man starts a family with a much younger woman. Until now, however, we have lacked evidence that a man’s advancing age may have an impact on his ability to conceive and may affect the health of the child,” she added.
Looking at 2002 CDC Pregnancy Rates released earlier this week, the reports point to the age of the woman as being the significant determining factor in achieving pregnancy. With this new information on the existence of a male age factor, looking at pregnancy rates solely from the age of the female partner might not provide the entire picture.
The AFA also agrees that the effect of male aging on the genetic quality of sperm is not just about achieving pregnancy. Dr. Peter Schlegel of the Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Microsurgery at Cornell University Weill Medical College, and member of the Medical Advisory Board for The American Fertility Association, notes that “although birth defects were previously attributed to the mother, we now have substantial information to support considering and further investigating the father as a potential source of birth defects.”
Dr. Schlegel also notes that “while new findings in medicine take a while to be accepted, and are often met with healthy skepticism, Dr. Fisch has taken together a number of sources of data to support the changes that occur with male aging.”
“The knowledge that advancing age of both the mother and father contribute to increased odds of having a child with genetic defects can only help individuals to take every step possible to protect their fertility early in life and to make informed decisions when family-building at the outer limits of their reproductive years,” said Dr. Owen Davis of the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility at Cornell University Weill Medical College and Medical Director for the American Fertility Association.
Dr. Davis also recommends that “for couples facing infertility treatments, the male partner should be referred to an appropriate urologist when a male factor is suspected and, if needed, to discuss the medical options.”
The American Fertility Association (AFA), a long-time advocate for men and women seeking to build families, is dedicated to providing access to as much valid and reliable information as possible. “We feel that some of the issues raised by Dr. Fisch in “The Male Biological Clock” are very important for men and women to be aware of and to discuss with their own physicians,” Ms. Madsen added.
THE AMERICAN FERTILITY ASSOCIATION (AFA) is a national organization dedicated to educating, supporting and advocating for men and women concerned with reproductive health, fertility preservation, infertility and all forms of family building. Visit http://www.theafa.org/ or call 888-917-3777 for more information and support.
Contact: Frank Fusco David Eng Communications (212) 714-3537 frank@decpr.com
The American Fertility Association
CONTACT: Frank Fusco of David Eng Communications,+1-212-714-3537, frank@decpr.com, for The American Fertility Association
Web site: http://www.theafa.org/