Male fertility is drastically reduced once the age of 50 is reached, research shows.
Women hit the menopause on average at 51 and scientists have calculated men see a similar drop off in pregnancy rates at that age.
Researchers tracked more than 4,200 men trying to have a baby through IVF and identified the point at which they seemed to hit the “manopause”.
Those aged 51 and older were 34% less likely to conceive than those aged under 35.
It comes despite elderly celebs such as Rod Stewart and Mick Jagger still having children.
Dr Guy Morris, of University College London, said: “The quality and quantity of sperm declines with age and this has a significant effect after the age of 50.
“Stories of celeb men fathering children into their 60s may give a skewed perspective on the potential risks of delaying fatherhood.”
The pregnancy rate in partners of men under 35 was 50%, but fell to just 30% for men aged 51.
The study was published at a meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, in Vienna, Austria.
