Impact of Male Aging on Semen Parameters

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effect of increasing male age on the semen parameters including semen volume, sperm concentration, and progressive sperm motility. Materials and Methods: 1038 patients who applied to our IVF clinic for semen analysis or for infertility treatment were included in the study. The participants were divided into three age categories as follows: 680 participants (65.5%) aged 22-30, 139 participants (13.4%) aged 31-45 years, and 219 participants (21.1%) aged ≥45 years. Demographic and baseline clinical characteristics were recorded. The variables considered in this study were age and the following semen parameters: volume (ml); sperm concentration (millions/ml); and progressive sperm motility A+B (%). Normal semen values were defined based on the WHO criteria (World Health Organization, 2010). Results: The mean age of the participants was 33.1(± 4.8). The mean BMI of the participants was 24.1(± 2.8). The mean semen volume was 3.3 (± 1.5), the mean semen concentration was 43.6 (± 31.7), and the mean progressive sperm motility was 43.6 (± 10.1). There was a moderate negative correlation between paternal age and semen volume (r=-0.13) and sperm motility (r=-0.32), while there was a moderate positive correlation between paternal age and sperm concentration (r=0.24). The proportion of likelihood ratio measured between semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility and age was found to be 1 in patients between the ages of 22-30. The 22-30 age group does not have a decreasing or increasing effect on semen volume (OR: 1), sperm concentration (OR: 1) and motility (OR: 1). Regression analysis of patients in the 31-45 age group revealed no change in semen volume (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.43-2.3, p <0.9), but an increase in sperm concentration (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.13-2.7, p <0.01), and decreased sperm motility (OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.16-0.47, p <0.00). In the regression analysis of participants over the age of 45, semen volume (OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.19-0.53, p <0.00) and sperm motility (OR: 0.05, 95% CI: 0.03-0.08, p <0.00) decreased with age. No change was detected in the concentration (OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.63- 1.2, p <0.3). Conclusion: With increasing male age, semen volume and sperm motility begin to decrease. However, a significant decrease in sperm concentration does not occur until the age of 45.