Do male or female reproductive cells age ?

[force]

When spermatogonia divide by mitosis, do there telomeres shorten ? I am just trying to ask if reproductive cells age as well as with the rest of our bodies cells ? If so wouldn't a baby born from old parents have a shorter than average life expectancy due to older or more aged DNA ?

 

[Monique]

Germline cells have telomerase activity, so their telomeres shouldn't shorten. The oocytes from the female are produced before puberty and sit around waiting for the final ripening, in women over 30 these oocytes start to age and there is a higher risk for disorders like Down syndrome.