1
|
Castellini C, Cordeschi G, Tienforti D, Barbonetti A. Relationship between male aging and semen quality: a retrospective study on over 2500 men. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 309:2843-2852. [PMID: 38551703 PMCID: PMC11147833 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-024-07448-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to evaluate whether and to what extent an association exists between male aging and worsening of semen parameters and to determine whether a threshold age can be identified above which the decline in semen quality becomes statistically significant. METHODS 2612 men (age: 16-56 years) attending an andrology outpatient clinic for semen analysis and clinical evaluation were studied. Semen analyses were performed according to the ongoing WHO-recommended procedures. Total motile count (TMC) and total progressive motile count (TPMC) were calculated by multiplying total sperm number by total motility and progressive motility, respectively. RESULTS Significant negative correlations were found between age and total motility (r = - 0.131, p < 0.0001), progressive motility (r = - 0.112, p < 0.0001), TPMC (r = - 0.042, p = 0.037), and normal sperm morphology (r = - 0.053, p = 0.007). All these associations persisted in multivariate regression models adjusted for abstinence time, smoking, history of male accessory gland infections, varicocele and the year in which semen analysis was performed. When comparisons were performed among quartiles of increasing age, the fourth quartile, corresponding to the age group > 40 years, was associated with a significant decrease in total and progressive motility. An earlier decline in the TPMC and percentage of normal forms was also observed. CONCLUSION Advancing male age exhibits an independent association with a decrease in the percentage of motile and morphologically normal spermatozoa, with greater evidence from the age of > 40 years. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and clinical reflections of these associations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Castellini
- Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Coppito, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giuliana Cordeschi
- Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Coppito, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Daniele Tienforti
- Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Coppito, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Arcangelo Barbonetti
- Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Coppito, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Feuz MB, Nelson DC, Miller LB, Zwerdling AE, Meyer RG, Meyer-Ficca ML. Reproductive Ageing: Current insights and a potential role of NAD in the reproductive health of aging fathers and their children. Reproduction 2024; 167:e230486. [PMID: 38471307 PMCID: PMC11075800 DOI: 10.1530/rep-23-0486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
In brief In light of the increasing age of first-time fathers, this article summarizes the current scientific knowledge base on reproductive aging in the male, including sperm quality and health impacts for the offspring. The emerging role of NAD decline in reproductive aging is highlighted. Abstract Over the past decades, the age of first-time fathers has been steadily increasing due to socio-economic pressures. While general mechanisms of aging are subject to intensive research, male reproductive aging has remained an understudied area, and the effects of increased age on the male reproductive system are still only poorly understood, despite new insights into the potential dire consequences of advanced paternal age for the health of their progeny. There is also growing evidence that reproductive aging is linked to overall health in men, but this review mainly focuses on pathophysiological consequences of old age in men, such as low sperm count and diminished sperm genetic integrity, with an emphasis on mechanisms underlying reproductive aging. The steady decline of NAD levels observed in aging men represents one of the emerging concepts in that regard. Because it offers some mechanistic rationale explaining the effects of old age on the male reproductive system, some of the NAD-dependent functions in male reproduction are briefly outlined in this review. The overview also provides many questions that remain open about the basic science of male reproductive aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morgan B. Feuz
- Department of Veterinary, Clinical and Life Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
- These authors contributed equally
| | - D. Colton Nelson
- Department of Veterinary, Clinical and Life Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Laura B. Miller
- Department of Veterinary, Clinical and Life Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Alexie E Zwerdling
- Department of Veterinary, Clinical and Life Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Ralph G. Meyer
- Department of Veterinary, Clinical and Life Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Mirella L. Meyer-Ficca
- Department of Veterinary, Clinical and Life Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kanoh T, Mizoguchi T, Tonoki A, Itoh M. Modeling of age-related neurological disease: utility of zebrafish. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1399098. [PMID: 38765773 PMCID: PMC11099255 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1399098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Many age-related neurological diseases still lack effective treatments, making their understanding a critical and urgent issue in the globally aging society. To overcome this challenge, an animal model that accurately mimics these diseases is essential. To date, many mouse models have been developed to induce age-related neurological diseases through genetic manipulation or drug administration. These models help in understanding disease mechanisms and finding potential therapeutic targets. However, some age-related neurological diseases cannot be fully replicated in human pathology due to the different aspects between humans and mice. Although zebrafish has recently come into focus as a promising model for studying aging, there are few genetic zebrafish models of the age-related neurological disease. This review compares the aging phenotypes of humans, mice, and zebrafish, and provides an overview of age-related neurological diseases that can be mimicked in mouse models and those that cannot. We presented the possibility that reproducing human cerebral small vessel diseases during aging might be difficult in mice, and zebrafish has potential to be another animal model of such diseases due to their similarity of aging phenotype to humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tohgo Kanoh
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takamasa Mizoguchi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ayako Tonoki
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Motoyuki Itoh
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Research Institute of Disaster Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Health and Disease Omics Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Aitken RJ. What is driving the global decline of human fertility? Need for a multidisciplinary approach to the underlying mechanisms. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2024; 6:1364352. [PMID: 38726051 PMCID: PMC11079147 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2024.1364352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
An intense period of human population expansion over the past 250 years is about to cease. Total fertility rates are falling dramatically all over the world such that highly industrialized nations, including China and the tiger economies of SE Asia, will see their populations decline significantly in the coming decades. The socioeconomic, geopolitical and environmental ramifications of this change are considerable and invite a multidisciplinary consideration of the underlying mechanisms. In the short-term, socioeconomic factors, particularly urbanization and delayed childbearing are powerful drivers of reduced fertility. In parallel, lifestyle factors such as obesity and the presence of numerous reproductive toxicants in the environment, including air-borne pollutants, nanoplastics and electromagnetic radiation, are seriously compromising reproductive health. In the longer term, it is hypothesized that the reduction in family size that accompanies the demographic transition will decrease selection pressure on high fertility genes leading to a progressive loss of human fecundity. Paradoxically, the uptake of assisted reproductive technologies at scale, may also contribute to such fecundity loss by encouraging the retention of poor fertility genotypes within the population. Since the decline in fertility rate that accompanies the demographic transition appears to be ubiquitous, the public health implications for our species are potentially devastating.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liao M, Xu Q, Mao X, Zhang J, Wu L, Chen Q. Paternal age does not jeopardize the live birth rate and perinatal outcomes after in vitro fertilization: an analysis based on 56,113 frozen embryo transfer cycles. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:354.e1-354.e13. [PMID: 37952870 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.11.1224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global trend of delaying childbearing has led to an increasing number of couples seeking in vitro fertilization. The adverse effects of advanced maternal age on pregnancy and perinatal outcomes are well documented, regardless of the conception method. In addition, advanced paternal age may contribute to poor reproductive potential because of high levels of sperm DNA fragmentation. However, it remains challenging to guide older men regarding the effect of paternal age on pregnancy and birth outcomes in the field of assisted reproduction. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the association of paternal age with live birth and perinatal outcomes following in vitro fertilization-frozen embryo transfer. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective study was performed at a university-affiliated fertility center, involving women who were younger than 36 years and had undergone frozen embryo transfer from January 2011 to June 2021. Subjects were categorized into 6 groups based on paternal age: <25, 25 to 29, 30 to 34, 35 to 39, 40 to 44, and ≥45 years. A generalized estimating equation logistic regression model was used to account for the clustered nature of data and to adjust for confounders. Paternal age between 25 and 29 years served as the reference group in the logistic regression models. RESULTS A total of 56,113 cycles who met the inclusion criteria were included in the final analysis. On unadjusted analyses, the reproductive outcome parameters showed a considerable decline with increasing male age. The live birth rate decreased from 47.9% for men aged 25 to 29 years to 40.3% among men aged ≥40 years. Similarly, the clinical pregnancy rate decreased from 54.4% in the reference group to 47.8% in the ≥40 years age group. Conversely, the miscarriage rate increased as male age increased, from 10.2% among men aged 25 to 29 years to 13.5% among men aged ≥45 years. However, the differences in the reproductive outcomes mentioned above were no longer significant in the multivariable models. Compared with the younger controls, advanced paternal age was not associated with a lower chance of live birth (males aged 40-44 years: adjusted odds ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-1.04; males aged ≥45 years: adjusted odds ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.79-1.10). In addition, the rates of clinical pregnancy (males aged 40-44 years: adjusted odds ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-1.05; males aged ≥45 years: adjusted odds ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.79-1.12) and miscarriage (males aged 40-44 years: adjusted odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-1.31; males aged ≥45 years: adjusted odds ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-1.50) were comparable between the reference and advanced paternal age groups. Furthermore, men in the youngest age group (<25 years) did not have worse pregnancy outcomes than those in the reference group. Regarding perinatal outcomes, there was no difference among the study cohorts in terms of preterm birth, low birthweight, macrosomia, small for gestational age, and large for gestational age, both in the unadjusted and confounder-adjusted models. CONCLUSION This study did not demonstrate a significant association between paternal age and live birth and perinatal outcomes after in vitro fertilization-frozen embryo transfer when the female partners were younger than 36 years. With the global trend toward delaying childbirth, our findings provide useful information for counseling patients that increasing paternal age may not adversely affect pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in assisted reproduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maokun Liao
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiuyu Xu
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyan Mao
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ling Wu
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qiuju Chen
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sengupta P, Dutta S, Liew FF, Dhawan V, Das B, Mottola F, Slama P, Rocco L, Roychoudhury S. Environmental and Genetic Traffic in the Journey from Sperm to Offspring. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1759. [PMID: 38136630 PMCID: PMC10741607 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advancements in the understanding of how sperm develop into offspring have shown complex interactions between environmental influences and genetic factors. The past decade, marked by a research surge, has not only highlighted the profound impact of paternal contributions on fertility and reproductive outcomes but also revolutionized our comprehension by unveiling how parental factors sculpt traits in successive generations through mechanisms that extend beyond traditional inheritance patterns. Studies have shown that offspring are more susceptible to environmental factors, especially during critical phases of growth. While these factors are broadly detrimental to health, their effects are especially acute during these periods. Moving beyond the immutable nature of the genome, the epigenetic profile of cells emerges as a dynamic architecture. This flexibility renders it susceptible to environmental disruptions. The primary objective of this review is to shed light on the diverse processes through which environmental agents affect male reproductive capacity. Additionally, it explores the consequences of paternal environmental interactions, demonstrating how interactions can reverberate in the offspring. It encompasses direct genetic changes as well as a broad spectrum of epigenetic adaptations. By consolidating current empirically supported research, it offers an exhaustive perspective on the interwoven trajectories of the environment, genetics, and epigenetics in the elaborate transition from sperm to offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pallav Sengupta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman 4184, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sulagna Dutta
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Dubai 345050, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fong Fong Liew
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, Jenjarom 42610, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Vidhu Dhawan
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Biprojit Das
- Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar 788011, India
| | - Filomena Mottola
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Petr Slama
- Laboratory of Animal Immunology and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Morphology, Physiology and Genetics, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Rocco
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lahimer M, Gherissi O, Ben Salem N, Ben Mustapha H, Bach V, Khorsi-Cauet H, Khairi H, Ben Ali H, BenKhalifa M, Ajina M. Effect of Micronutrients and L-Carnitine as Antioxidant on Sperm Parameters, Genome Integrity, and ICSI Outcomes: Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1937. [PMID: 38001791 PMCID: PMC10669279 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12111937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The evaluation of sperm DNA integrity is recommended in the sixth edition of the 2021 World Health Organization guidelines. Oxidative stress has been identified as a crucial factor leading to genome decay, lipid peroxidation, and nucleoprotein oxidation. This double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial aimed to assess the effect of oral antioxidant treatment (Fertilis), which contains L-carnitine and some micronutrients, in the improvement of conventional sperm parameters, sperm DNA integrity and in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) outcomes. A total of 263 participants were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: 131 participants received the antioxidant treatment, while 132 participants received a placebo. The male partners in both groups underwent the antioxidant treatment or the placebo for a duration of three months. For each participant, we performed a hormonal test, an infectious test, a spermogram, a TUNEL assay for sperm DNA fragmentation, a toluidine blue staining for sperm DNA decondensation, and an IVF/ICSI procedure. Sperm characteristics analysis (volume, count, motility, and vitality), sperm DNA fragmentation, and sperm DNA decondensation were assessed and compared to the results preceding the antioxidant treatment. The study outcome revealed a significant decrease in the DNA fragmentation index and a significant increase in sperm motility after 3 months of treatment (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). Additionally, a significant improvement in clinical pregnancy rate (p = 0.01) and life birth rate (p = 0.031) was observed. No significant changes were observed in conventional sperm parameters (volume, count, and vitality) or sperm DNA decondensation (SDI). Antioxidant therapy has a beneficial impact on achieving pregnancy, whether through spontaneous conception or assisted reproductive procedures (ART).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Lahimer
- Service of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse 4000, Tunisia; (O.G.); (N.B.S.); (H.B.M.)
- Exercise Physiology and Physiopathology: From Integrated to Molecular “Biology, Medicine and Health” (Code: LR19ES09), Sousse 4002, Tunisia
- PERITOX-(UMR-I 01), UPJV/INERIS, UPJV, CURS, Chemin du Thil, 80025 Amiens, France; (V.B.); (H.K.-C.); (M.B.)
| | - Oumaima Gherissi
- Service of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse 4000, Tunisia; (O.G.); (N.B.S.); (H.B.M.)
| | - Nesrine Ben Salem
- Service of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse 4000, Tunisia; (O.G.); (N.B.S.); (H.B.M.)
| | - Henda Ben Mustapha
- Service of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse 4000, Tunisia; (O.G.); (N.B.S.); (H.B.M.)
| | - Véronique Bach
- PERITOX-(UMR-I 01), UPJV/INERIS, UPJV, CURS, Chemin du Thil, 80025 Amiens, France; (V.B.); (H.K.-C.); (M.B.)
| | - Hafida Khorsi-Cauet
- PERITOX-(UMR-I 01), UPJV/INERIS, UPJV, CURS, Chemin du Thil, 80025 Amiens, France; (V.B.); (H.K.-C.); (M.B.)
- ART and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Picardie University Jules Verne, CHU Sud, 80025 Amiens, France
| | - Hedi Khairi
- Faculty of Medicine Ibn Eljazzar of Sousse, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Sousse University, Sousse 4000, Tunisia;
| | - Habib Ben Ali
- Laboratory Histology Embryologiy, Faculty of Medicine Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse 4000, Tunisia;
| | - Moncef BenKhalifa
- PERITOX-(UMR-I 01), UPJV/INERIS, UPJV, CURS, Chemin du Thil, 80025 Amiens, France; (V.B.); (H.K.-C.); (M.B.)
- ART and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Picardie University Jules Verne, CHU Sud, 80025 Amiens, France
| | - Mounir Ajina
- Service of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse 4000, Tunisia; (O.G.); (N.B.S.); (H.B.M.)
- Exercise Physiology and Physiopathology: From Integrated to Molecular “Biology, Medicine and Health” (Code: LR19ES09), Sousse 4002, Tunisia
| |
Collapse
|