Should men listen to their biological clock?

“THE importance of the age at which one has a child is well known in females but is not often taken into account for men,” says Dr Victoria Walker, a fertility expert at Institut Marques (institutomarques. com). “Nevertheless, men do have a biological clock – and it’s something they should be concerned about,” she says.

“Men produce sperm cells throughout their life, but with the passage of time, the quality will change, reducing the fertilising capacity of semen.”

Dr Walker says that, as well as infertility, ageing can also be linked with damage to the genetic material in sperm, which can lead to genetic disorders in babies.

Studies have supported the theory that it’s not just women who matter in the middle-aged infertility equation. In a 2003 study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, just a quarter (25%) of men over 50 were able to get a partner pregnant within the space of a year.

A 2017 study by Harvard researchers found that sperm from men aged 40-42 was 46% less likely to impregnate women under 30, than sperm from men aged 30-35.

“Poor semen quality does not necessarily mean a man won’t be able to conceive,” says Dr Walker, “but it can hamper their chances.”

It’s not the only obstacle men face, either. A Baylor College of Medicine review found that the chance of a baby having any of 86 congenital problems, such as Down syndrome or spina bifida, are one-in-50 on average, but rise to one in 42 when the father is over 40.

Research published in science journal Nature also found that dads pass on more genetic mutations as they get older, and that the rising age of fatherhood could be a factor in increased rates of conditions such as schizophrenia and autism. “STUDIES have shown that, in the 50 years up until 1990, sperm count declined by 1% per year, and many researchers agree that there is a geographical element to sperm count, with poorer semen quality typically seen in more industrialised countries,” says Dr Walker.

“We’ve been investigating this topic for many years at Institut Marques, and the decline in male fertility may be a consequence of environmental contaminants, such as petrochemical agents,” she adds.

These are compounds which can be made from oil, natural gas and coal and are found in a wide array of household items, from lunch boxes and bin bags to plastic bottles.

“As well as polluting the environment, persistent organic pollutants (POP) can dissolve into human fat – lipophilicity” explains Dr Walker. “When dissolved into fat, some POPs act as estrogenic endocrine disruptors, which means they behave in the same way as female hormones, even if they’re in males.”

These disruptors may possibly alter functions of the endocrine system and interfere with sperm count and quality. Dr Walker says they can also increase oestrogen levels in pregnant women, which can affect fetal development – in relation to early male development, this may have an early impact on how the testicles develop and their later ability to produce sperm. WHILE Dr Walker believes there is nothing a man can do to slow the overall biological clock – as everyone naturally ages – lifestyle factors might help improve semen quality.

Rob Hobson, head of nutrition at Healthspan (healthspan.co.uk) says lifestyle can often be at the root of a man’s inability to conceive.

“Issues including stress, depression and anxiety can be responsible for mood swings, irritability, lower libido and a general lack of enthusiasm,” says Rob. “These can be amplified later in life as a result of lifestyle pressures, such as work, relationships, divorce, money problems, pressure to support family or worries over ageing parents.”

He notes that factors such as smoking, drinking, stress and diet are a common denominator in male infertility, while diabetes, he says, is considered to be one of the leading causes of male impotence.

“Men looking to start a family should definitely quit smoking, curb drinking and manage stress in order to promote the production of healthy sperm,” advises Rob.

“Adopting a healthy balanced diet that includes plenty of nutrients can also help ensure the production of male sex hormones.

“Zinc is required in higher amount in men than women, as it helps with the production of male sex hormones,” he says, advising men to load up on seafood, poultry, nuts, seeds, beans, eggs and whole grains.

“Vitamin C is also important, as it helps to prevent sperm cells clumping together, which is common with infertility,” notes Rob.

“Most men get enough vitamin C in their diet, but you can ensure your intake by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables such as red peppers, berries, citrus fruits and green vegetables, which are particularly high in this vitamin.

“Eating more plant-based foods – vegetables, beans, pulses and lentils – will increase your intake of antioxidants that help to reduce the damage caused by excess free-radicals, considered by some to be a contributory factor leading to infertility in men,” he adds.

While leading a healthier lifestyle is always a good idea, it’s good to note that some men are just plain lucky when it comes to the genetic lottery.

Fertility is not a one-size-fits-all issue, and countless celebrities and rock stars have fathered children beyond the age of 60, such as Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Jeff Goldblum.

The bottom line? The biological clock probably isn’t something that anybody in their prime should lose sleep over – but everybody should be aware that men can experience fertility issues, just as women can.

If you’re hoping to conceive in the future, an awareness that age may be a factor, alongside adopting a healthy lifestyle, is a good bet.

If you’re concerned, or already struggling to conceive, it’s worth speaking to your GP or a specialist, who can help identify any issues.