The Male Biological Clock - Does It Exist?

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Also Included In: Men's health;  Endocrinology;  Fertility
Article Date: 26 Sep 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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BERLIN, GERMANY (UroToday.com) - Dr Harry Fisch, Professor of Clinical Urology Columbia University reviewed the controversial subject of decreasing sperm counts. His published analysis demonstrated that sperm counts have not decreased; the previously reported apparent decreases were the result of regional variations.

His comprehensive review was recently published in an article entitled "Declining Worldwide Sperm Counts: Disproving a Myth," in Male Infertility: Current Concepts and Controversies, edited by Harris M. Nagler, Urologic Clinics of North America (2008).

However, Dr Fisch presented data indicating the decline in male fertility is associated with age. Dr Fisch presented his data on the impact of paternal age on Down syndrome (Fisch et al., "The Influence of Paternal Age on Down Syndrome". J.Urol 2003) There are a large number of entities that have been reported to be associated with advanced paternal age. One potential explanation for the increased incidence of some of these entities may be a recognized increase in sperm acneuploidy with increasing age.

The incidence of schizophrenia has also been reported as having a correlation to increasing paternal age ("Advancing Paternal Age and the Risk of Schizophrenia," D. Malaspina, et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry.158:758, 2001).

The potential public health consequences of delayed parenting were emphasized.

Editorial Comment:

This is certainly an important issue that requires further investigation. One must recognize that the apparent increase in incidence of many of the potentially associated abnormalities is subject to observer awareness. Nevertheless, the trend to delayed parenting may have significance for individuals and society.

Presented by Harry Fisch, MD, at the Annual Meeting of the AUA - New York Section - September 6 - 13, 2008 - Berlin, Germany

Reported by UroToday.com Contributing Editor Harris M. Nagler, MD

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