Skip to main content
Log in

Nimmt die gynäkologische Fertilität ab?

Is there a decline in female fertility?

  • Leitthema
  • Published:
Der Gynäkologe Aims and scope

Zusammenfassung

In vielen industrialisierten Ländern hat die Geburtenzahl pro Frau in den letzten Dekaden signifikant abgenommen, was hauptsächlich Veränderungen sozioökonomischer und gesellschaftlicher Faktoren wie einem höheren Alter bei Geburt des ersten Kindes zugeschrieben wurde. Zusätzlich zu den genannten Einflüssen wurde eine generelle Abnahme der menschlichen Fertilität postuliert. Einige Studien dokumentieren eine mögliche Abnahme der Spermaqualität in den letzten Jahren, die Paarfertilität scheint im Gegensatz dazu zugenommen zu haben. Die Datenlage zu Veränderungen der weiblichen Fertilität ist aufgrund unterschiedlicher Begriffsdefinitionen, Studiendesigns und Studienendpunkten jedoch extrem heterogen, so dass endgültige Schlussfolgerungen derzeit nicht gezogen werden können. Lebensstilfaktoren interferieren zusätzlich mit der individuellen Fertilität. Eine fundierte Patientenberatung sollte biologische Basisinformationen, z. B. die Altersabhängigkeit der weiblichen Fertilität, bieten, aber auch individuelle Risikofaktoren beachten. Zusammenfassend besteht ein Bedarf an weiteren gut konzipierten Studien zu der geschilderten Thematik.

Abstract

In many developed countries the average number of children born per woman has declined significantly during recent decades. This was mainly due to changes in socioeconomic factors and behavioral changes, such as postponement of childbearing. In addition to the these developments a general decline in human fertility was postulated. Several reports indicated a possible decrease in semen parameters during the last decade, whereas couple fertility seemed to have increased instead. However, currently available publications are heterogeneous in terms of study design, defined endpoints or definition of fertility and at present no definite conclusions can be drawn. Additionally, there are multiple lifestyle factors which interfere with human fertility. Individual counselling of patients should cover basic biological information, e.g. reduced fertility at increased maternal age and individual risk factors. In general, more well designed studies on human fertility are needed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Literatur

  1. Auger J, Kunstmann JM, Czyglik F, Jouannet P (1995) Decline in semen quality among fertile men in Paris during the past 20 years. N Engl J Med 332:281–285

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Bellver J, Ayllón Y, Ferrando M et al (2010) Female obesity impairs in vitro fertilization outcome without affecting embryo quality. Fertil Steril 93(2):447–454

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Bellver J, Melo MA, Bosch E et al (2007) Obesity and poor reproductive outcome: the potential role of the endometrium. Fertil Steril 88(2):446–451

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Benedict MD, Missmer SA, Vahratian A et al (2011) Secondhand tobacco smoke exposure is associated with increased risk of failed implantation and reduced IVF success.

  5. Bolúmar F, Olsen J, Rebagliato M, Bisanti L (1997) Caffeine intake and delayed conception: a European multicenter study on infertility and subfecundity. European study group on infertility subfecundity. Am J Epidemiol 15;145(4):324–334

    Google Scholar 

  6. Christensen K, Kohler HP, Basso O et al (2003) The correlation of fecundability among twins: evidence of a genetic effect on fertility? Epidemiol 14:60–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Clark AM, Thornley B, Tomlinson L et al (1998) Weight loss in obese infertile women results in improvement in reproductive outcome for all forms of fertility treatment. Hum Reprod 13(6):1502–1505

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Curtis KM, Savitz DA, Arbuckle TE (1997) Effects of cigarette smoking, caffeine consumption, and alcohol intake on fecundability. Am J Epidemiol 1;146(1):32–41

    Google Scholar 

  9. Domar AD, Clapp D, Slawsby EA et al (2000) Impact of group psychological interventions on pregnancy rates in infertile women. Fertil Steril 73(4):805–811

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Domar AD, Rooney KL, Wiegand B et al (2011) Impact of a group mind/body intervention on pregnancy rates in IVF patients. Fertil Steril 95(7):2269–2273

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Dunson DB, Colombo B, Baird DD (2002) Changes with age in level and duration of fertility in the menstrual cycle. Hum Reprod 17(5):1399–1403

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Eggert J, Theobald H, Engfeldt P (2004) Effects of alcohol consumption on female fertility during an 18-year period. Fertil Steril 81(2):379–383

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Eimers JM, te Velde ER, Gerritse R et al (1994) The prediction of the chance to conceive in subfertile couples. Fertil Steril 61:44–52

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. European Status Report on Alcohol and Health (o J) http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/128065/e94533.pdf

  15. Evers JL, Te Velde ER (2001) Vruchtbaarheidsstoornissen. In: Heinemann MJ, Bleker OP, Evers JL, Heintz AP (eds) Obstetrie en gynaecologie, de voortplanting van de mens. Elsevier Science, Maarssen, pp 435–471

  16. Fedorcsák P, Dale PO, Storeng R et al (2004) Impact of overweight and underweight on assisted reproduction treatment. Hum Reprod 19(11):2523–2528

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Fenster L, Quale C, Waller K et al (1999) Caffeine consumption and menstrual function. Am J Epidemiol 15,149(6):550–557

    Google Scholar 

  18. Gille G, Klapp C, Diedrich K et al (2005) Chlamydien eine heimliche Epidemie unter Jugendlichen. Prävalenzbeobachtungen bei jungen Mädchen in Berlin. Dtsch Arztebl 102(28–29):A2021–A2025

    Google Scholar 

  19. Hatch EE, Wise LA, Mikkelsen EM et al (2012) Caffeinated beverage and soda consumption and time to pregnancy. Epidemiology 23(3):393–401

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Helgason A, Pálsson S, Guobjartsson DF et al (2008) An association between the kinship and fertility of human couples. Science 319:813–816

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Hill SE, Reeve HK (2005) Low fertility in humans as the evolutionary outcome of snowballing resource games. Behav Ecol 16:398–402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Hull MG, Glazener CM, Kelly NJ et al (1985) Population study of causes, treatment and outcome of infertility. BMJ 291:1693–1697; Hum Reprod 26(9):2525–2531

    Google Scholar 

  23. International Association or the Study of Obesity (2011) http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/888932523994

  24. Irvine S, Cawood E, Richardson D et al (1996) Evidence of deteriorating semen quality in the United Kingdom: birth cohort study in 577 men in Scotland over 11 years. BMJ 312:467–471

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Jensen TK, Joffe M, Scheike T et al (2005) Time trends in waiting time to pregnancy among Danish twins. Hum Reprod 20(4):955–964

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Joffe M (2010) What has happened to human fertility. Hum Reprod 25(2):295–307

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Johnson G, Roberts D, Brown R et al (1987) Infertile or childless by choice? A multipractice survey of women aged 35 and 50. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 28, 294(6575):804–806

    Google Scholar 

  28. Juhl M, Olsen J, Andersen AM, Grønbaek M (2003) Intake of wine, beer and spirits and waiting time to pregnancy. Hum Reprod 18(9):1967–1971

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Jungheim ES, Lanzendorf SE, Odem RR et al (2009) Morbid obesity is associated with lower clinical pregnancy rates after in vitro fertilization in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril 92(1):256–261

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Karmaus W, Juul S, European Infertility Subfecundity Group (1999) Infertility and Subfecundity in population-based samples from Denmark, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain. Eur J Public Health 9:229–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Keck C, Clad A (2004) Infektionen in der Reproduktionsmedizin. Gynakologe 37:607–617

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Klonoff-Cohen H, Lam-Kruglick P, Gonzalez C (2003) Effects of maternal and paternal alcohol consumption on the success rates of in vitro fertilization and gamete intrafallopian transfer. Fertil Steril 79(2):330–339

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Koch C, Kirschner W, Schäfer A (1997) Bestimmung der Prävalenz genitaler HPV- und Chlamydia-trachomatis-Infektionen in einem repräsentativen Querschnitt der weiblichen Normalbevölkerung in Berlin. Robert-Koch-Institut. Infektionsepidemiologische Forschung (2)1–12

  34. Kotsopoulos J, Eliassen AH, Missmer SA et al (2009) Relationship between caffeine intake and plasma sex hormone concentrations in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Cancer 15,115(12):2765–2774

    Google Scholar 

  35. Leridon H, Slama R (2008) The impact of a decline in fecundity and of pregnancy postponement on final number of children and demand for assisted reproduction technology. Hum Reprod 23(6):1312–1319

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Leridon H, Spira A (1984) Problems in measuring the effectiveness of infertility therapy. Fertil Steril 41:580–586

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Luke B, Brown MB, Stern JE et al (2011) Female obesity adversely affects assisted reproductive technology (ART) pregnancy and live birth rates. Hum Reprod 26(1):245–252

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Lynch CD, Sundaram R, Buck Louis GM et al (2012) Are increased levels of self-reported psychosocial stress, anxiety, and depression associated with fecundity? Fertil Steril 98(2):453–458

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Moran LJ, Noakes M, Clifton PM et al (2006) Short-term meal replacements followed by dietary macronutrient restriction enhance weight loss in polycystic ovary syndrome. Am J Clin Nutr 84(1):77–87

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Nawrot P, Jordan S, Eastwood J et al (2003) Effects of caffeine on human health. Food Addit Contam 20(1):1–30

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. OECD-Health-Data (2011) National sources for non-OECD-countries. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/888932523956

  42. OECD-Obesity Update (2012) http://www.oecd.org/health/49716427.pdf

  43. Peck JD, Leviton A, Cowan LD (2010) A review of the epidemiologic evidence concerning the reproductive health effects of caffeine consumption: a 2000–2009 update. Food Chem Toxicol 48(10):2549–2576

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Pellati D, Mylonakis I, Bertoloni G et al (2008) Genital tract infections and infertility. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 140:3–11

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Rich-Edwards JW, Goldman MB, Willett WC et al (1994) Adolescent body mass index and infertility caused by ovulatory disorder. Am J Obstet Gynecol 171(1):171–177

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Sallmén M, Weinberg CR, Baird DD et al (2005) Has human fertility declined over time? Why we may never know. Epidemiology 16:494–499

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Scheike TH, Rylander L, Carstensen L et al (2008) Time trends in human fecundability in Sweden. Epidemiology 19(2):191–196

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Schmidt L, Münster K (1995) Infertility, involuntary infecundity, and the seeking of medical advice in industrialized Countries 1970–1992: a review of concepts, measurements and results. Hum Reprod 10(6)1407–1418

    Google Scholar 

  49. Sharma SC, Chaudhury RR (1970) Studies on mating II. The effect of ethanol on sperm transport and ovulation in successfully mated rabbits. Indian J Med Res 58(4):501–504

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. STD-Sentinel des RKI – Erste Ergebnisse (2004) Epidemiologisches Bulletin des Robert-Koch-Institut 1:1–10

  51. Stephen EH, Chandra A (2006) Declining estimates of infertility in the United States: 1982–2002. Fertil Steril 86:516–523

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Noord-Zaadstra BM van, Loomann CW, Alsbach H et al (1991) Childbearing: effect of age on fecundity and outcome of pregnancy. BMJ 302:1361–1365

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Van Waeleghem K, De Clercq N, Vermeulen L et al (1996) Deterioration of sperm quality in young healthy Belgian men. Hum Reprod 11:325–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Warum gerade wir? Wenn ungewollte Kinderlosigkeit die Seele belastet. Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufkärung (2011) http://www.bzga.de/botmed_13624001.html

  55. Waylen AL, Metwally M, Jones GL et al (2009) Effects of cigarette smoking upon clinical outcomes of assisted reproduction: a meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update 15(1):31–44

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. http://www.tobaccoatlas.org

Download references

Interessenkonflikt

Der korrespondierende Autor gibt für sich und seine Koautoren an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. van der Ven.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

van der Ven, H., Kühr, M., Roth, S. et al. Nimmt die gynäkologische Fertilität ab?. Gynäkologe 46, 12–17 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00129-012-3036-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00129-012-3036-3

Schlüsselwörter

Keywords

Navigation