Paternal age impacts sperm genetics, study finds

A study led by researchers from Fundación IVI, presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), has demonstrated that paternal age plays a significant role in pregnancy planning. The research reveals that sperm accumulates genetic changes over time, which can be transmitted to the embryo.

Key findings indicate that while genetic mutations occur at all ages, they increase significantly as men age. Specifically, men over 45 present 31% more mutations than those under 30. Some of these mutations are linked to genes associated with the nervous system, cardiovascular diseases, liver pathologies, immunodeficiencies, and certain tumor processes.

The study highlights that many of these mutations are invisible in conventional genetic analyses, such as blood samples, which may provide incomplete information regarding the genetic material transmitted to offspring. This occurs because, unlike eggs, sperm is in continuous production throughout a man's life, increasing the possibility of alterations with each new cell division.