Does Age Affect Male Fertility?
There is a part in reproductive medicine that has one of the biggest impacts in fertility that is not so easily (if at all) changed: Genetics. Fertility is often predetermined at birth – how many eggs a woman is born with or disorders that may affect fertility from the get-go like the congenital absence of the vas deferens. Overall, paternal genetics can influence sperm production and testicular function. There is also the possibility that a mutation has occurred “de novo”, which means that it is a new mutation that none of the mother or father have passed down, but has arisen in the male, and this mutation may now affect his fertility. Usually, this encompasses a mutation on the X-chromosome, or as a deletion on the Y-chromosome. Females have two copies of the X-chromosome, so one X can compensate for the damaged DNA strand. For men, however, should there be a mutation on either chromosome this may have a more significant impact due to only one copy being present and thus compensation is not possible.
Over the last few decades, semen parameters have gradually decreased. Studies show that this is in part due to the toxins and microplastics accumulating in the planets soil, water and air. Accordingly, the WHO has adjusted their semen analysis parameters: In 1987, sperm concentration was normal from 20 mil/ml (now 16 mil/ml), total motility had to be at least 50% (now 42%) to be considered normal and morphology would have been classed normal from 50% (now 4%) 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.11.037.
Part of the decline is due to the economic changes and concomitant adjustments to society: People choose to have children later in life, after developing a career.
The Role of Genetics in Male Infertility
Age was shown to be a significant factor in females who are trying to conceive. Women have a limited number of oocytes and depending on the age at menarche, these eggs may have depleted by the age the couple are are trying to become pregnant. In addition, with the eggs going through every cycle of a woman’s life, the quality decreases gradually after having been exposed to toxins, etc. Similar processes occur in the male testes. Sperm are continuously produced in the testes, however the stem cells that initiate the production are susceptible to toxins, infection and oxidative stress also. In addition, an ageing body usually has increased levels of cell death (apoptosis) which affects oxidative stress also.
How Heat and Tight Underwear Affect Sperm
The more we understand about male fertility, the more suggestions fertility specialists can propose. With seeing a change in lifestyle amongst the population, scientists now understand the role of heat stress on sperm production. With increased stress during our daily activities like work or commuting, we seek a balance in relaxation, which can often include hot baths, sauna, exercise, i.e. long scenic bike rides. All these activities, in combination with a change in fashion towards tighter clothing including underwear, leads to the testes experiencing temperatures too high for spermatogenesis to occur. The scrotum is outside the body as the optimal temperature for sperm production is 2-3°C colder than body temperature. Some companies have now developed underwear that can keep the testes cooler.
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