The effect of paternal age on semen quality and fertilization outcome in men with normal sperm DNA compaction, reactive oxygen species, and total antioxidant capacity levels

Objective: Studies showed a decrease of the semen analysis parameters and an increase in the average age of first-time fathers over the past several decades. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of paternal age on semen quality and fertilization outcomes in men with normal sperm DNA fragmentation and chromatin maturation index (DFI and CMI), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels. Material and methods: The study was performed on 70 men with their wife's age <= 38 years and normal sperm DFI, CMI, ROS, and TAC levels. None of the couples had a history of genital inflammation, chronic diseases, endocrine abnormality, chromosomal aberrations, Y chromosome microdeletion, azoospermia, and leukocytospermia. These men were separated into 2 groups according to their age (group A: age <45 years and group B: age >= 45 years). Semen analysis and fertilization outcome after using the intracytoplasmic sperm injection were assessed in both groups. Result: Sperm concentration showed a significant reduction in group B (p=0.04). Although semen volume, sperm normal morphology, and progressive motility were decreased in group B, the reduction was not significant when compared with group A (p=0.09, p=0.47, and p=0.77, respectively). In addition, the differences of embryo quality with grades A, B, and C and 8-cell embryo formation were not statistically significant between the 2 groups. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that in men with normal sperm DFI, CMI, ROS, and TAC levels, there were no significant changes in semen parameters and fertilization outcomes with an increasing age.