Scientists discover link to fertility issues for older mothers

Scientists have made further strides to finding out why older women can become infertile. Their study has also shed new light on why children who are born to older women are more likely to suffer from genetic disorders.

It is widely known that women who are nearing the end of fertility have a higher chance of encountering difficulties when trying to conceive. Experts have also drawn many links between birth defects in children born to older mothers. However, doctors have never been able to identify a direct cause for these issues, until now.

The research was conducted at the University of Newcastle, and the findings were published in the medical journal medical journal Current Biology. The study team has identified a key protein called Cohesins. These proteins work to hold chromosomes together by entrapping them in a ring. This helps the chromosomes to split evenly, which is vital to fertility.

The research team studied the eggs of fertile mice and discovered that the levels of Cohesins reduced as the mice got older. This meant that the splitting of the chromosomes in the older mice was weakened, which as a result caused fertility problems.

Future treatments

“Cohesin levels were very much reduced in eggs from older mice and the chromosomes underwent a very messy division resulting in the wrong number of chromosomes being retained in the egg” said researcher Dr Mary Herbert, of the Centre for Life at Newcastle University.

These findings have prompted further calls for more research in to how Cohesin can affect the eggs of older human females. A wider understanding could lead to better fertility treatments for women who are struggling to conceive.

“If we can understand this, we will be in a better position to know if there is any possibility of developing interventions to help reduce Cohesin loss” said Dr Herbert.