Role of Husband’s Age in Percentage of Eggs that get Fertilized in Invitro Fertilization Cycle

Abstract

Background: Female age is a known independent index in determining outcome of fertility treatment with ovulatory and fertility potentials declining rapidly after age 35 however it an assumed fact that men are capable of spermatogenic activity beyond age 60 with world oldest father procreating at age 97. (Myers, 1972) Objectives: Determine if age affected semen concentration and motility of male partners undergoing invitro fertilization. Determine if age of male partners had influence on percentage of oocytes that are fertilized following invitro fertilization cycles. Method: A descriptive retrospective review of data of IVF cycles performed between July 2015 and June 2017. Inclusion criteria was that age of oocytes producer must be less than 36, post sperm wash count of at least 10million per milliliters and 15% active motile sperm. Exclusion criteria were female age of oocyte producer more than 35, incomplete relevant data. Results: One hundred and twenty cycles met inclusion criteria. Mean husband age was 45.70 (±7.07). Mean percentage oocyte fertilized among the group was 51.95% (± 29.85%). Mean percentage of oocytes fertilized among husband equal to or less than 50 was 54.21% (± 28.87%) while mean percentage of oocytes fertilized among husband age 51 and above was 45.20% (± 32.20), the observed difference being statistically significant (p= 0.0000; X 2 =90.133). Conclusion: There is a significant drop in ability of men above 50years to fertilize oocytes compared to men below 51years of age during invitro fertilization cycles.