The Impact of Aging on Fertility: Similarities and Differences between Ovaries and Testes

Abstract

The increasing age seems to have a negative impact on reproductive functions not only in women but also in men. Therefore, our aim was to review the data available in the literature regarding the impact of advancing age on fertility and the mechanisms underlying this association in both genders. The available data suggest that the effects of age on ovarian function cause a decrease in fertility starting 13 years before menopause. Statistics show that 10% of women will have a decreased fertility starting with the age of 30. The impact of age on ovary is due to both decreased number and quality of the oocytes, resulting in a high rate of chromosomal aneuploidy in the embryo and mitochondria dysfunction. Assisted reproductive technologies aiming to identify competent embryo were created but for the moment the results are unsatisfactory. On the other hand, in men, the semen quality and testicular function were found to gradually decrease with age and most of the studies also describe a negative impact on fertility. The mechanisms underlying decreased fertility are mainly genetic and epigenetics changes. However, if the effects of age on male fertility in men can be overcome by assisted reproductive technologies is not clear yet as the results of the studies are inconsistent.