Decline of seminal parameters in middle-aged males is associated with lower urinary tract symptoms, prostate enlargement and bladder outlet obstruction

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to compare the associations between semen quality, associated reproductive indicators and the main prostate-related parameters in middle-aged men. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study on 422 middle-aged men who underwent the screening for prostate health. Their reproductive function, semen quality and prostate-related pathologies were investigated. Results: Significant associations between semen quality and prostate-related parameters could be seen. Total sperm count and sperm density decreased along with the increase of the I-PSS score and total prostate volume. Also, the related lower urinary tract characteristics showed a negative correlation with main semen parameters for all investigated subjects. no significant differences in age, testicular size, and hormonal parameters were found between the subjects with or without lower urinary tract symptoms and prostate enlargement. Conclusions: Our study suggests that altered seminal parameters in middle-aged men are associated with LUTS, prostate enlargement and/or bladder outlet obstruction. Although the assessments of prostate and lower urinary tract symptoms may not replace the semen parameters evaluating the male reproductive status, there is a need for further and more detailed investigations about the pathways behind these associations as well as possible related conditions.

Fermented whey-based product improves the quality of life of males with moderate lower urinary tract symptoms: A randomized double-blind study

“…At the baseline, age as a risk factor for prostate pathologies showed similar correlation with PSA, TPV and IL-8 in seminal plasma as described recently. [ 12 – 13 ] Also, associations between seminal inflammatory markers and prostate-related parameters were comparable with findings of recent studies. [ 12 , 14 ]…”

The aging male: Relationship between male age, sperm quality and sperm DNA damage in an unselected population of 3124 men attending the fertility centre for the first time

“…In such a way it can be assumed the existence of age-induced anomalies in the apoptotic pathway leading to an age-linked increase in sperm cells with higher DNA damage (17). Confirming the contradiction of the literature published results and in spite of what other authors reported (2,3,16,17), we found no decline in sperm concentration levels with advancing age. Sperm DNA damage has been associated to both male aging and infertility and it has been linked to several factors such as oxidative stress, abortive apoptosis and deviations in the process of recombination and protamine replacement during spermatogenesis (8).…”

“…Quite a lot of mechanisms have been suggested to explain how advancing age may influence semen quality (3). For instance abnormal semen volume alterations could be caused by seminal vesicle deficiency as vesicle fluid itself largely provides most of the ejaculate volume (16).…”

“…Variations in the prostate arise with aging and the related decay in protein and water contents can clarify the negative impact on semen volume, motility and viscosity (16). Once more, the epididyms have a valuable importance: considering sperm acquiring its straight motility only during the transition through the epididymal tract, any alteration may negatively restrict this parameter (3).…”

Późne rodzicielstwo i rozród wspomagany: analiza ryzyka wystąpienia chorób przewlekłych u potomstwa

“…Wysoki poziom uszkodzeń DNA może jednak prowadzić do opóźnień cyklu komórkowego i nieprawidłowo naprawionych pęknięć DNA, co ma negatywny wpływ na rozwój ciąży [136]. Zarówno ART, jak i zaawansowany wiek rodzicielski zwiększają szanse na odziedziczenie przez potomstwo uszkodzeń DNA, które prowadzi do negatywnych skutków zdrowotnych [111,119,[137][138][139][140][141][142][143][144][145][146]. W następnych częściach tego rozdziału zostanie wyjaśnione, dlaczego zaawansowany wiek rodziców oraz ART niosą ze sobą wysokie ryzyko uszkodzeń DNA zarodka, w jaki sposób uszkodzenia te negatywnie wpływają na rozwój zarodka i potomstwa oraz jak można ograniczać uszkodzenia DNA.…”