Association between male age and semen quality in assisted reproductive technology cycles: a cross-sectional study
10.3760/cma.j.cn101441-20231026-00181
- VernacularTitle:辅助生育夫妇的男性年龄与精液质量的关联：一项横断面研究
- Author:
Zhimo ZHANG
1
;
Yaqin WANG
1
;
Rui JI
1
;
Zhe YANG
1
;
Jing YANG
1
Author Information
1. 武汉大学人民医院生殖医学中心 湖北省辅助生殖与胚胎发育医学临床研究中心，武汉 430060
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Age factors;
Semen analysis;
Male infertility;
Restricted cubic spline
- From:
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception
2024;44(5):510-515
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the correlation between the age of men and the quality of semen, as well as the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in assisted reproduction couples.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted, collecting clinical data from 3 361 men who underwent assisted reproductive technology for fertility treatment at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Wuhan University People's Hospital from January 2020 to August 2023 due to non-male factors. Computer-assisted semen analysis system (CASA) was used to analyze semen quality parameters, and DFI was measured by Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA). Patients were categorized into three groups based on age: 20-29 years (group A), 30-39 years (group B), and 40-59 years (group C). Multiple linear regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) were used to analyze the correlation between age and semen quality parameters as well as DFI.Results:The study included 3 361 participants with an average age of (34.86±5.34) years. In groups B and C, sperm progressive motility [(40.17±18.16)%, (37.83±16.96)%] and total motility [(55.27±21.37)%, (53.09±21.14)%] were significantly lower than those in group A [(43.78±18.16)%, (58.29±20.24)%], sperm concentration [(78.96±63.04)×10 6/mL, (91.93±72.28)×10 6/mL] and DFI [(19.18±12.18)%, (21.73±12.52)%] were significantly higher than those in group A [(71.75±57.44)×10 6/mL, (16.31±10.04)%], semen volume was significantly lower in group C [(2.94±1.42) mL] than in groups B and A [(3.28±1.43) mL, (3.15±1.58) mL], with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). After adjusting for education level, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, and abstinence days, the results of multiple linear regression showed that compared with group A, the age of group B was negatively associated with sperm progressive motility ( β=-3.055, 95% CI: -4.879--1.231) and total motility ( β=-2.366, 95% CI:-4.516--0.216), while positively associated with sperm concentration ( β=7.752, 95% CI: 1.398-4.106) and DFI ( β=2.744, 95% CI: 1.526-3.961). Compared with group A, the age of group C was negatively correlated with semen volume ( β=-0.379, 95% CI: -0.565--0.192), sperm progressive motility ( β=-5.507, 95% CI: -7.714--3.301), and total motility ( β=-4.932, 95% CI: -7.532--2.331), while positively correlated with sperm concentration ( β=17.288, 95% CI: 9.604-24.973) and DFI ( β=5.226, 95% CI: 3.753-6.699). The results of RCS analysis indicated a significant linear dose-response relationship between age and semen volume ( Pnon-linearity=0.424), showing a decline in semen volume with increasing age ( P<0.001). Non-linear dose-response relationships were observed between age and sperm density ( Pnon-linearity=0.003), sperm progressive motility ( Pnon-linearity<0.001), total motility ( Pnon-linearity<0.001), and DFI ( Pnon-linearity=0.004). Conclusion:In men undergoing assisted reproductive technology for fertility treatment due to non-male factors, age greater than 30 years is significantly associated with a decrease in semen volume, sperm progressive motility, and total motility, as well as an increase in sperm density and DFI.
