Al- Anbar Medical Journal

The Effect of Advancing Paternal Age on Seminal Fluid Parameters in Iraqi Males Attending Infertility Center: An Observational Study

Document Type : Original articles

Authors

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq.

2 Department of Inspection, Ministry of Health, Baghdad, Iraq.

3 Faculty of Medicine, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania.

4 Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania.

Abstract

Background: Age can affect seminal fluid parameters (SFPs); many studies reported that SFPs are reduced in older men. Although these alterations may not necessarily cause infertility, they can make it harder for older men to conceive.
Objective: We aimed to examine which SFPs are mostly affected by age among Iraqi population.
Material and Methods: A retrospective observational study recruited 120 eligible male participants attending an infertility center, Bagdad, Iraq. The participants were grouped according to their ages into 3 groups as follows: Group I: 21-30 years (41/120); Group II: 31-40 years (43/120), and Group III > 40  years (36/120). For each participant, we collected firstly male demographic and clinical criteria that include age, infertility type, and its duration, in addition to abstinence days. Secondly, SFPs, that include volume, viscosity, liquefaction time, sperm concentration, viability, motility, normal and abnormal morphology, and round cell count. The correlation of age with SFPs was examined.
 Results: Analysis showed insignificant differences in seminal fluid volume, total motility, and viscosity among the three groups. Group I showed the lowest liquefication time, and had the highest sperm counts and normal morphology. Abnormal sperm morphology was highest in group III and was statistically meaningful across the groups.
Conclusion: SFPs of older men > 40 years had the lowest number of sperm number and live sperm the highest immotile, non -progressive, and abnormal morphological sperms. Since the average paternal age is rising, it is imperative to educate men that advancing age reduces fertility potential and impacts offspring health.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Al- Anbar Medical Journal

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 10 January 2024
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