Effect of age on sperm fertility potential: oocyte donation as a model.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of age on sperm fecundability using oocyte donation as an in vivo model.

SETTING

Oocyte donation and IVF programs at the Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad.

DESIGN

Retrospective study in which four groups of oocyte donation cycles were established according to age of the male providing the semen sample: group 1 (n = 31) < 30 years; group 2 (n = 195) 31 to 40 years; group 3 (n = 98) 41 to 50 years; group 4 (n = 21) > 51 years, the oldest being 64 years. All donated oocytes were obtained from patients < 35 years old.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Male age, sperm characteristics (volume, concentration, motility, morphology), fertilization, embryo quality, pregnancy, implantation, and abortion rates among recipients.

RESULTS

Similar sperm characteristics in fresh as well as after preparation for IVF were observed among males of different ages. Fertilization, embryo quality, pregnancy, and implantation were similar among the established groups. The mean age of the females included in each group significantly increased from group 1 to group 4.

CONCLUSIONS

Age (up to 64 years) does not affect sperm characteristics or its ability to fertilize human eggs. Similarly, embryo development in vitro as well as implantation in recipient uteri are not affected by age of the male providing the semen sample.