Effect of paternal age on clinical outcomes in an oocyte donation program

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Controversy exists whether male age has an effect on the reproductive success of a couple. Oocyte donation provides an efficient model to evaluate the potential of paternal effects on clinical outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of male age on implantation, clinical pregnancy, live births and fetal losses.DESIGN: Data were prospectively collected from January 2002 through December 2006. Male patients were divided into 4 treatment groups based on age. Clinical end points and sperm parameters were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and one-way ANOVA as appropriate.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Recipient couples (n=525) undergoing oocyte donation were used in this study. Males with epididymal, testicular, or frozen sperm were excluded. Female factors were controlled by using the donor oocyte model.RESULTS: Results are shown in the table. There was a significant decrease in implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates for males 45 years or older. No difference in clinical outcomes was observed between the younger age treatment groups. A tendency (P<0.07) of a higher incidence of fetal losses was noted as paternal age increased. In addition, sperm motility and normal morphology were reduced by age. However, no difference in sperm concentration was found between the different age treatment groups.Table 1Effect of male age on clinical outcomesMale AgenImplantation (%)Clinical Pregnancy (%)Live Births (%)Fetal Loss (%)≤347091/141 (65)a56 (80)a54 (77)a7/91 (8)35-39146184/291 (63)a116 (79)a104 (71)a23/184 (13)40-44181210/359 (58)ab135 (75)ab120 (66)ab27/210 (13)≥45128134/251 (53)b88 (69)b78 (61)b22/134 (16)a,bDifferent superscripts within columns indicate significant differences (P<0.05). Open table in a new tab OBJECTIVE: Controversy exists whether male age has an effect on the reproductive success of a couple. Oocyte donation provides an efficient model to evaluate the potential of paternal effects on clinical outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of male age on implantation, clinical pregnancy, live births and fetal losses. DESIGN: Data were prospectively collected from January 2002 through December 2006. Male patients were divided into 4 treatment groups based on age. Clinical end points and sperm parameters were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and one-way ANOVA as appropriate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Recipient couples (n=525) undergoing oocyte donation were used in this study. Males with epididymal, testicular, or frozen sperm were excluded. Female factors were controlled by using the donor oocyte model. RESULTS: Results are shown in the table. There was a significant decrease in implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates for males 45 years or older. No difference in clinical outcomes was observed between the younger age treatment groups. A tendency (P<0.07) of a higher incidence of fetal losses was noted as paternal age increased. In addition, sperm motility and normal morphology were reduced by age. However, no difference in sperm concentration was found between the different age treatment groups. a,bDifferent superscripts within columns indicate significant differences (P<0.05).