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. 2018 Nov 1;22(4):323-330.
doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20180047.

The effects of male age on sperm DNA damage: an evaluation of 2,178 semen samples

Claudia G Petersen  1   2 , Ana L Mauri  1   2 , Laura D Vagnini  2 , Adriana Renzi  2 , Bruna Petersen  2 , Mariana Mattila  1 , Vanessa Comar  1 , Juliana Ricci  1 , Felipe Dieamant  1 , Joao Batista A Oliveira  1   2 , Ricardo L R Baruffi  1   2 , Jose G Franco Jr  1   2
Affiliations

The effects of male age on sperm DNA damage: an evaluation of 2,178 semen samples

Claudia G Petersen et al. JBRA Assist Reprod. .

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of male age on sperm DNA damage.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included semen samples collected from 2,178 men seen at an infertility clinic. For DNA integrity analysis, the proportions of spermatozoa showing DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay), abnormal chromatin packaging/underprotamination (chromomycin A3), abnormal mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP/MitoTracker Green), and apoptosis (annexin V) were recorded. For group comparisons, enrolled subjects were divided into three groups based on their ages: ≤35 years; 36-44 years; and ≥45 years. The associations between age and sperm parameters were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.

Results: Although aging did not affect sperm apoptosis (p>.05), sperm DNA fragmentation and MMP deteriorated significantly with age (p<.05). Chromatin packaging/protamination improved significantly with age (p<.05).

Conclusion: Sperm DNA fragmentation worsened with age and was apparently associated with mitochondrial damage. The age-related increase in sperm DNA damage suggests that delaying childbearing, not only in women but also in men, might jeopardize a couple's reproductive capacity. The increase seen in chromatin packaging might represent a protective feature for DNA. However, additional studies must be performed to confirm the results concerning chromatin packaging/protamination.

Keywords: DNA damage; Male age; functional parameters; sperm.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Correlation between male age and proportion of DNA fragmentation. Individual data points and the regression line are shown. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient = 0.10; p=0.002.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Correlation between male age and proportion of abnormal MMP. Individual data points and the regression line are shown. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient = 0.13; p<0.0001.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Correlation between male age and proportion of CMA positivity. Individual data points and the regression line are shown. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient =-0.13; p<0.0001.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Correlation between male age and proportion of apoptosis. Individual data points and the regression line are shown. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient = 0.03; p=0.028.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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