Latest news with #eggDonation
Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Sperm from men over the age of 45 are linked to higher IVF miscarriages and lower birth rates - even when young donor eggs were used
IVF involving men over the age of 45 is linked to increased miscarriage risks, a study has revealed. Researchers found that a man's age plays a significant role in their reproductive success, challenging the notion that sperm age has little impact once fertilisation has occurred. They discovered that sperm from older men also led to lower live birth rates – even when young donor eggs were used. And experts said their results should be considered during the IVF counselling process between doctors and patients. The study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, analysed 1,712 egg donation cycles between 2019 and 2023 across six IVF centres in Italy and Spain. All cycles used fresh donor eggs with an average donor age of 26 and frozen sperm from male partners. The fertilised eggs were then transferred to the intended mothers, who had an average age of 43. Participants were divided into two groups – men aged 45 or younger and those over 45, and while fertilisation rates and embryo development were similar between the groups, differences emerged in the outcomes of the pregnancies. Miscarriage rates – where the baby is lost before 24 weeks – were notably higher among couples where the male partner was over 45, reaching 23.8 per cent compared with 16.3 per cent in the younger paternal age group. IVF involving men over the age of 45 is linked to increased miscarriage risks, a study has revealed Live birth rates were also lower in the older paternal age group, at 35.1 per cent versus 41 per cent for men aged 45 or younger. Discussing the findings, Dr Maria Cristina Guglielmo, an embryologist at the fertility clinic Eugin Italy, said: 'Traditionally, maternal age has been the central focus in reproductive medicine, but our results show that the age of the male partner also plays a crucial and independent role.' She explained that as men age, the continuous division of sperm stem cells increases the chance of DNA replication errors. In turn, this can impair embryo development and contribute to a higher risk of miscarriage, she said. Dr Guglielmo added: 'Our findings underscore the need for fertility clinics to adopt a more balanced approach that recognises the role of paternal age. 'Clinics should ensure male patients are informed about how advancing paternal age can impact fertility potential, pregnancy success and miscarriage risk.'
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cheltenham woman, 28, donates her eggs to help families
A woman who donated her eggs before having a family of her own said she wanted to give other people the chance to have Ward, 28, from Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, decided to donate her eggs to a fertility clinic in London. Ms Ward said: "I know how much it means to me to one day have kids of my own and I thought - why not? If it means that much to me I know it means that much to other people, too."Research shows that fertility challenges are increasing, with one in seven couples now struggling to conceive. Ms Ward said: "I've always wanted kids but haven't found the right person yet."It's a donation, if I don't ever meet the child that is fine. "For me, I know this child is wanted and they're going to have a great life."The support was really good, the hormones they gave me, I'd take home. "At the end of two weeks I'd go in for a procedure. I'm receiving support after too, getting blood tests to make sure everything is okay." 'We don't have endless fertility' This comes after a new report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN agency for reproductive rights, warned that hundreds of millions of people are not able to have the number of children they surveyed 14,000 people in 14 countries about their fertility intentions. One in five said they have not had or expect they will not have their desired number of Forster, senior fertility counsellor at London Women's Clinic, said people think differently about family planning today than they might have in the past."Family planning is something we think about a lot, particularly as women," Ms Forster said."Every decision we make in our lives has to be rooted around that decision, we don't have endless fertility."People don't just get into a romantic relationship anymore and assume having children is the next step. "Young people are amazing now because they are thinking about these things in a bigger way." Becky Kearns was diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency in 2014, meaning she did not have enough eggs to get pregnant."I was 28, the same age Marianne is now, when I was essentially heading into early menopause," she said."We eventually decided to explore egg donation. It wasn't an easy decision to make, there was a lot of grief around losing my genetics and fear around not being seen as the real mum," she Kearns and her partner went through the donation process 10 years ago and now have three daughters."There was a beautiful moment when my daughter said to me I think I know where my curls come from," Ms Kearns said."She said 'I think my donor put a little bit of blue and some curls into the egg and that's why I have curls and blue eyes'."
