The effects of aging on semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation

Abstract

Introduction:This study aimed to look into possible correlations between male age and different sperm parameters derived from semen analysis and sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation.Methods: This retrospective descriptive study included 2681 male patients who underwent semen analysis at Clínica Las Condes (CLC), Santiago, Chile, between January 2014 and May 2017; correlations between age and sperm parameters were analyzed.Results: Males above the age of 50 were significantly more likely to present anomalies in semen volume, sperm concentration, and sperm DNA fragmentation; males aged 41+ years were more likely to have lower sperm concentration levels; males aged 31+ years were more likely to have decreased sperm motility; when concentration was constant, more volume and motility anomalies were seen as age increased; when volume was kept constant, more motility and concentration anomalies were seen as age increased; and when motility was constant, normal semen volumes decreased as age increased.Conclusion: Our study showed that male age significantly affects sperm parameters that might have an impact on male fertility.

Advanced paternal age: effects on sperm parameters, assisted reproduction outcomes and offspring health

“…An inverse relationship between male age and semen volume was identified in a large cohort study, with the decline becoming apparent at an average age of 35.5 years [120]. However, a more recent study found that the decline did not begin until after 50 years of age [98].…”

“…Progressive motility, total motility and all sperm kinematics have been found to have negative correlations with increasing age [120]. In addition, Pino et al, found that the rate of progressive motility had a two-fold decrease in men > 50 in comparison with 40-50 year-old men [98]. However, there is little evidence for an association between sperm morphology and APA [62,105], when studied continuously stratified between men < 40 years old and ≥ 40 years old [120], nor between three different age groups (31-40, 41-50 and >50) [98].…”

“…In addition, Pino et al, found that the rate of progressive motility had a two-fold decrease in men > 50 in comparison with 40-50 year-old men [98]. However, there is little evidence for an association between sperm morphology and APA [62,105], when studied continuously stratified between men < 40 years old and ≥ 40 years old [120], nor between three different age groups (31-40, 41-50 and >50) [98]. Sperm viability has been consistently found to decrease with aging [13,84], with one study finding a decrease starting at age 41.5 and significant reductions in viability in men ≥40 compared to those < 40 years (83.75 ± 8.78 vs. 81.49 ± 10.60, respectively) [120].…”

“…Several studies have found an inverse relationship between male age and sperm count, [62,84,98,120], with two recent studies finding a significant decrease in sperm count starting at ages 41 and 41.5 [98,120]. Despite this decrease, several studies have found increased sperm concentration (total sperm count) with increasing age [7,13,120], likely due to the simultaneous decrease in semen volume with age [120].…”

Sperm DNA Fragmentation: A New Guideline for Clinicians

“…SDF increases with age, starting in reproductive years and doubling between the ages of 20 and 60 years [ 41 42 43 ]. This association has been attributed to higher exposure to OS, defective sperm chromatin packaging, and disordered apoptosis that occur with aging [ 44 ].…”