| The research also showed
miscarriage rates fell dramatically among couples when the male partner
took part in the pre-pregnancy program.
''We have been testing all the men that come through
IVF, looking at sperm/DNA damage, and we have found, on average, 60 per
cent of men have elements of chromosomal breakage of their sperm which
contributes to [couples] being much less likely to get pregnant on IVF
and three to four times more likely to miscarry,'' Dr Clark said.
Dr Clark said 74 per cent of men who showed an
increased level of sperm DNA fragmentation showed signs of improvement
after embarking on the program. She said those couples who took part in
the program prior to undergoing IVF were much less likely to miscarry.
''People who have participated in the program have a 5
per cent miscarriage rate. The national miscarriage rate for women under
38 is 20 per cent,'' she said.
Dr Clark said the research followed on from a French
study that showed the age of the male had a much bigger impact on
fertility and miscarriage than first thought.
The clinic encourages couples to make lifestyle
changes, such as losing weight. They are also given nutritional
supplements, including antioxidants as part of the program.
Dr Clark said 45 per cent of couples who took part
fell pregnant, while 38 per cent of couples, where the female partner
was under 38, became pregnant naturally.
Dr Clark will present the findings at The Fertility
Society of Australia's annual scientific meeting this week.
Naturopath Krista Macklin, of Burraneer Wellness
Centre and Shire Natural Fertility, said she was not surprised by the
findings.
She said male factors had been identified as the cause
of infertility in one out of every three couples referred to her
Sutherland Shire clinic.
Ms Macklin said poor diet and an unhealthy lifestyle
affected male fertility and caused DNA damage to sperm. But she said
this also meant male fertility issues were relatively easy to treat.
''Sperm regenerates every three to four months so we
use diet and lifestyle changes, specifically antioxidants, to restore
sperm health,'' she said.
Ms Macklin said the biggest changes men could make to
boost their chances of conception were to stop smoking and drinking
alcohol and eat a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Karly and Gavin Farrell of Sans Souci credit a
combination of western and traditional medicine for helping them
conceive Magnus.
After visiting Ms Macklin, the couple made diet and
lifestyle changes and took supplements while undergoing fertility
treatment at IVF Australia southern Sydney.
Mrs Farrell has no doubt the combination resulted in
her falling pregnant on her second IVF attempt. |
