Older Sperm Donor Age: A Hidden Risk for Pregnancy and Miscarriage
When people think about fertility and pregnancy outcomes, they often focus on the age of the egg provider. But new research confirms something equally important: the age of the sperm donor can significantly affect the chance of pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage.
A Major Study Confirms the Impact
A recent study presented at the 2025 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) conference analyzed over one thousand seven hundred donor-egg in vitro fertilization cycles. Researchers examined cycles using younger donor eggs and frozen sperm from male partners of different ages.
The results were clear:
Men aged forty-five or younger:
- Miscarriage rate: 16.3%
- Live birth rate: 41%
Men older than forty-five:
- Miscarriage rate: 23.8%
- Live birth rate: 35.5%
In other words, pregnancies involving older sperm donors faced a 46% higher risk of miscarriage (based on relative risk increase), compared to younger donors, even when using only one high-quality embryo.
Why Does Sperm Age Matter?
Unlike eggs, sperm continue to be produced throughout a man’s life. But sperm quality declines with age due to:
- Increased DNA fragmentation
- Higher rates of chromosomal abnormalities
- Epigenetic changes (how genes are expressed or read)
These changes can make it harder to achieve pregnancy and more likely that a pregnancy will end in miscarriage.
A meta-analysis also supports these findings:
- Men aged forty to forty-four had a twenty-three percent higher risk of miscarriage
- Men aged forty-five or older had a forty-three percent higher risk of miscarriage
Even when donor eggs are used, older paternal age increases the risk of a failed pregnancy.
What This Means for Clinics, Agencies, and Patients
Donor selection often focuses on maternal age. But paternal age matters too. When a sperm donor is forty-five or older, there are serious risks that must be discussed with both intended parents and gestational carriers.
If using a sperm donor aged forty-five or older, it is important to:
✅ Fully disclose the increased miscarriage risk
✅ Encourage discussions about genetic testing and embryo screening
✅ Consider setting an age limit for sperm donors based on scientific evidence, or offering increased miscarriage compensation due to the added risk
Takeaway for Surrogacy and IVF Professionals
Transparency is key. Surrogates, egg donors, and intended parents deserve to know not only the success rates but also the factors that lower the chance of a healthy birth.
By making donor age part of the discussion, clinics and agencies can help reduce emotional stress, financial burden, and medical complications.
In Summary
Egg quality matters. But sperm quality matters too. Donor age over 45 brings a measurable increase in risk. The right choice is an informed choice, and that starts with full disclosure and guidance from fertility professionals.
Source: Study presented at the 2025 ESHRE conference, based on 2019–2023 clinical data from IVF centers in Italy and Spain.
