The paternal clock: Uncovering the consequences of advanced paternal age on sperm DNA fragmentation

The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between advanced paternal age and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) levels, specifically identifying the age at which a significant increase in SDF occurs. This is a retrospective cohort study involving 4250 consecutive semen samples from patients presenting for infertility evaluation. Patients were stratified into seven age groups: < 26 (n = 36; 0.8 %), 26–30 (n = 500; 11.8 %), 31–35 (n = 1269; 29.9 %), 36–40 (n = 1268; 29.8 %), 41–45 (n = 732; 17.2 %), 46–50 (n = 304; 7.2 %), > 50 (n = 141; 3.3 %). The main outcome measures included comparing mean SDF levels throughout different age groups and assessing the prevalence of normal, intermediate, and high SDF among the age groups. A positive correlation was observed between paternal age and SDF (r = 0.17, p < 0.001). SDF remained relatively constant until the age of 35 but increased significantly beyond age 35. Mean SDF levels in the older age groups (36–40, 41–45, 46–50, and >50 years) were significantly higher than in the younger age groups (<26, 26–30, and 31–35 years) (p < 0.001). The prevalence of normal SDF was highest among the younger age groups, whereas the prevalence of high SDF was highest among the older age groups. Interestingly, the prevalence of intermediate SDF was relatively constant throughout the age groups (ranging between 29.8 % to 37.2 %). The increase in SDF after the age of 35 highlights the importance of considering male age in infertility evaluations. Assessing SDF in men over the age of 35 is crucial in couples seeking to conceive.