許多人都知道卵巢功能會隨時間自然改變,然而,男性有一樣的狀況嗎?
從現有證據來看,男性同樣面臨年齡相關的生育力下降,只是較不顯著:
- 34歲開始,精子總數和活動力會開始下降
- 43歲以後,精子濃度和正常形態比例會明顯減少
研究也發現,40歲以上
- 精子DNA損傷率相較以下有顯著增加 (23.1%:9.8%)
- 精子DNA的甲基化也受影響
⚠️ 上述的變化皆可能影響受孕成功率與胎兒健康
此外,臨床研究結果也發現,高齡父親(45歲以上)的伴侶懷孕時
更重要的是,高齡父親其精子的基因突變和表觀遺傳學也會隨之改變,造成後代出現下列疾病的風險明顯上升
- 染色體異常 (1.6倍)
- 自閉症 (1.2倍以上)
- 精神分裂症 (2倍以上)
- 注意力不足症 (2-13倍)
由此可知,雖然男性生育力不像女性那樣在特定年齡急劇下降,但年齡確實會逐漸影響精子品質和後代健康,因此準備迎接新生命時,父親的年齡也值得一起想一想。
🧬 有需要的話,提早諮詢、了解檢查選項,一起做出最踏實的決定!
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<參考資料>
- Age Thresholds for Changes in Semen Parameters in Men. Fertility and Sterility. 2013. Stone BA, Alex A, Werlin LB, Marrs RP.
- Paternal Age Matters: Association With Sperm Criteria's- Spermatozoa DNA Integrity and Methylation Profile. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023. Lahimer M, Montjean D, Cabry R, et al.
- Cytological and Molecular Aspects of the Ageing Sperm. Human Reproduction. 2019. Paoli D, Pecora G, Pallotti F, et al.
- Association of Paternal Age With Perinatal Outcomes Between 2007 and 2016 in the United States: Population Based Cohort Study. BMJ. 2018. Khandwala YS, Baker VL, Shaw GM, et al.
- The Risky Business of Advanced Paternal Age: Neurodevelopmental and Psychosocial Implications for Children of Older Fathers. Fertility and Sterility. 2022. Zweifel JE, Woodward JT.
- Paternal Age, Risk of Congenital Anomalies, and Birth Outcomes: A Population-Based Cohort Study. European Journal of Pediatrics. 2023. Bu X, Ye W, Zhou J.