Fertility First at Hurstville examined the link between male health and IVF success rates and found males who took part in its pre-pregnancy program were much more likely to father a child.

Dr Anne Clark said the clinic's ground-breaking research found a firm link between the age and health of a male and IVF success rates.

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.