Experts consider that genes may predetermine the number of children in the family

Oxford University has found 12 regions in the human genome where mutations effect on that at what age a man or a woman will have the first child, and, how big the family will be, "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" writes. Notable: Some gene variants have been associated with late motherhood but at the same time they are responsible for the late occurrence of menopause and menstruation.

"In the future, these data will help doctors to give an answer to the most important question for women – when is it too late to have a baby", - says the experts report. It is well known: during the study, the scientists analyzed the DNA of 593 000 Europeans. The result was the list of genome regions which are responsible for the birth of the first child, and the size of the family.

In particular, the experts have found that ESR1, CRTC2 and EFNA5 genes control the rate of maturation of eggs in a woman's body, and CREB3L4, SLC39A1, AFF3, HYAL3 and MST1R genes control motility, fertility and the future growth of spermatozoids.

Source: MEDdaily