P-063 Effect of age on semen parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation and hormones of 1500 men attending a tertiary medical center in Qatar

Abstract

Study question Does advancing age impact semen parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), and reproductive hormone levels among patients in Qatar? Summary answer Advancing age is linked to decreased semen quality, increased SDF, and hormonal changes, with the strongest association observed between age and SDF. What is known already Aging is associated with declines in semen quality, including reduced sperm concentration, motility, and normal morphology, alongside increased SDF and altered reproductive hormone levels. While these age-related changes have been documented globally, limited data exist on how these trends manifest in the Qatari population, underscoring the need for further investigation. Study design, size, duration This was a retrospective study of 1500 patients presenting to male fertility unit in a tertiary hospital over a period of 5 years. Exclusion criteria were presence of azoospermia, genetic abnormalities, cryptorchidism, chemo- or radiotherapy, clinical varicocele, endocrine abnormalities, and history of infectious or inflammatory genital condition. Participants/materials, setting, methods The medical charts were reviewed retrospectively to collect demographic and clinical data, including age, marital status, semen analysis (WHO 5th edition), SDF (sperm chromatin dispersion, cutoff 30%), and hormone levels (FSH, LH, Prolactin, Testosterone, Estradiol). Participants were grouped by age (<30, 30-40, 40-50, >50 years). Spearman’s correlation and Kruskal-Wallis test analyzed numerical data. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Main results and the role of chance The median age of all participants was 35 years (IQR: 31–35). Of the 1500 participants, 297 (19.6%) were <30 , 778 (51.9%) 30–40, 332 (22.1%) 40–50, and 97 (6.4%) >60 years of age. Age was found to be significantly positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.11, p < 0.001), FSH (r = 0.12, p = 0.001), and SDF (r = 0.31, p < 0.001), while it was significantly negatively correlated with serum testosterone (r=-0.11, p = 0.005), prolactin (r=-0.12, p = 0.001), total (r=-0.13, p < 0.001) and progressive motility (r=-0.11, p < 0.001), normal morphology (r=-0.1, p = 0.001), and viability (r=-0.15, p = 0.01). The strongest relationship was observed between age and SDF with the median SDF found in men >50 years =32 (19-53). Limitations, reasons for caution Retrospective study, single center experience. Inclusion of additional variables could have benefited the results and their interpretation. Wider implications of the findings These findings highlight the negative impact of aging on semen quality and reproductive hormones, emphasizing the need for early fertility assessment and counseling. The strong association between age and SDF suggests potential implications for natural conception and assisted reproduction, reinforcing the importance of considering paternal age in reproductive planning. Trial registration number No