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Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
REVIEW

Potential risks to offspring of intrauterine exposure to maternal age-related obstetric complications

Juan J. Tarín A F , Miguel A. García-Pérez B C and Antonio Cano D E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Cellular Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Valencia, Dr. Moliner 50, Burjassot, Valencia 46100, Spain.

B Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Valencia, Dr. Moliner 50, Burjassot, Valencia 46100, Spain.

C Research Unit-INCLIVA, University Clinic Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pelayo, 4 accesorio, 46010 Valencia, Spain.

D Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibañez 15, Valencia 46010, Spain.

E Service of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinic Hospital, Avda. Blasco Ibañez 17, Valencia 46010, Spain.

F Corresponding author. Email: tarinjj@uv.es

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 29(8) 1468-1476 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD16163
Submitted: 19 April 2016  Accepted: 10 July 2016   Published: 10 August 2016

Abstract

Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the negative effects of delayed motherhood on an offspring’s morbidity later in life. However, these hypotheses are not supported by clinical and epidemiological evidence. Because advanced maternal age is associated with increased risk of obstetric complications, the aim of the present study was to ascertain whether the negative effects on offspring of intrauterine exposure to maternal age-related obstetric complications may explain the reported negative effects of delayed motherhood on offspring. To this end, a literature search was performed to identify relevant publications up to March 2016 on PubMed; references cited in relevant articles were also searched. There was a direct correlation between the risks to offspring conferred by intrauterine exposure to at least one of the obstetric complications present at the time of delivery in women aged ≥35 years and the risks to offspring of delayed motherhood. This correlation was not observed when comparing the risks to offspring of delayed motherhood and the risks associated with maternal transmission of defective mitochondria, chromosomal anomalies or DNA double-strand breaks. Most of the effects on offspring of intrauterine exposure to maternal age-related obstetric complications may be induced by epigenetic DNA reprogramming during critical periods of embryo or fetal development. Women wanting to enrol in a fertility preservation program to offset age-related declines in fertility should be informed not only about their chances of pregnancy and the percentage of live births, but also about the risks to themselves and their prospective offspring of delaying motherhood.

Additional keywords: advanced maternal age, chromosome anomalies, defective mitochondria, DNA double-strand breaks, epigenetics, long-term effects.


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