Whether the elderly male childbearing will increase the risk of genetic diseases in children
With social progress and changes in life, more and more people choose to give birth at a higher age. However, it has always been a controversial issue whether the elderly male fertility will increase the risk of children's genetic diseases. This article will elaborate on the definition of genetic disease risk, male sperm quality, transmission mechanism of genetic diseases and research results.
Definition of genetic disease risk
Hereditary diseases are diseases caused by gene abnormalities, which may be inherited in families. Some genetic diseases are transmitted by a pair of recessive mutant genes, which must be carried by both parties to show up in their offspring. Men who give birth at an advanced age are more likely to carry these genes, so the risk of children suffering from genetic diseases will also increase.
However, the increased risk of genetic diseases does not mean that all the children of older men will suffer from genetic diseases. The occurrence of genetic diseases is also related to other factors, such as the age of the mother and the specific type of gene mutation.
Male sperm quality
There is a certain correlation between the aging of male fertility and the decline of sperm quality. Research shows that the number, vitality and quality of men's sperm will decline with age. This may lead to an increase in the number of mutant genes carried by sperm, thus increasing the risk of children suffering from genetic diseases.
In addition, the DNA quality of sperm will also be affected by age. With the increase of age, DNA damage in male sperm may increase, thus affecting the health of children. Therefore, the elderly male fertility may increase the risk of genetic diseases in children.
Transmission mechanism of genetic diseases
The spread of genetic diseases is determined by the genetic characteristics of both genes. The number of mutant genes carried by the father of an elderly male may increase. When a father carries a mutant gene, his children may inherit this gene and suffer from related genetic diseases.
Hereditary diseases are generally divided into single gene genetic diseases and polygene genetic diseases. Single gene genetic diseases can be caused by carrying only one mutant gene, while multi gene genetic diseases can be caused by carrying multiple mutant genes. The risk of genetic diseases in children born to older men mainly depends on whether parents carry mutation genes related to genetic diseases at the same time.
Research results
A large number of studies have explored the relationship between elderly male fertility and children's genetic disease risk. A study conducted by McGill University Hospital in Canada found that children born to men over 40 years old had a higher risk of congenital heart disease than younger fathers. In addition, research from King's College London, UK, shows that when a father is over 35 years old, the risk of children suffering from autism will also increase.
Although the above research results support the view that male childbearing at an advanced age will increase the risk of children's genetic diseases, it does not mean that all children born at an advanced age will suffer from genetic diseases. The genetic background of each individual is different, so the increase in risk may be relatively small.
Summary
To sum up, the elderly male fertility may increase the risk of children suffering from genetic diseases. This is mainly due to the decline in male sperm quality, the transmission mechanism of genetic diseases and related research results. However, the specific degree of risk increase is related to the individual's genetic background and other factors. During family planning, families should fully understand the relevant risks and consult and guide doctors.
