The association of age and semen quality in healthy men

BACKGROUND: Although the effect of maternal age on fertility is well known, it is unclear whether paternal age also affects fertility. This cross-sectional study sought to characterize the association between age and semen quality, a well-known proxy of fertility status. METHODS: A convenience sample of 97 non-smoking men (aged 22-80 years) without known fertility problems was recruited from a national government laboratory. The men provided semen samples and information relating to lifestyle, diet, medical and occupational details. Semen volume (ml), sperm concentration (X 10(6)/ml), total sperm count (X 106), Motility (%), progressive motility (%) and total progressively motile sperm count (X 10(6)) were measured. RESULTS: After adjusting for covariates, semen volume decreased by 0.03 ml per year of age (95% Cl: 4.05,4.01); motility decreased by 0.7% per year (95% CI: -0.92, -0.43); progressive motility decreased by 3.1 % per year (95 % CI: -4.5, -1.6); and total progressively motile sperm count decreased by 4.7% per year (95% CI: -7.2, -2.2). There was a suggested decrease in sperm concentration and count. The proportion of men with abnormal volume, concentration and motility was significantly increased across the age decades. CONCLUSIONS: In a convenience sample of healthy men from a non-clinical setting, semen volume and sperm motility decreased continuously between 22-80 years of age, with no evidence of a threshold.