High Aneuploidy Rates Observed in Embryos Derived from Donated Oocytes are Related to Male Aging and High Percentages of Sperm DNA Fragmentation

Abstract

CAPSULEMale aging effects on aneuploidy rates in embryos.OBJECTIVEPaternal age is associated with decreasing sperm quality; however, it is unknown if it influences chromosomal abnormalities in embryos. The objective of this study is to evaluate if the aneuploidy rates in embryos are affected by advanced paternal age.METHODSA total of 286 embryos, obtained from 32 in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles with donated oocytes in conjunction with preimplantation genetic diagnosis, were allocated according to paternal age in three groups: Group A: ≤39 years (n = 44 embryos); Group B: 40–49 years (n = 154 embryos); and Group C: ≥50 years (n = 88 embryos). Fertilization rates, embryo quality at day 3, blastocyst development, and aneuploidy embryo rates were then compared.RESULTSThere was no difference in the seminal parameters (volume, concentration, and motility) in the studied groups. Fertilization rate, percentages of zygotes underwent cleavage, and good quality embryos on day 3 were similar between the three evaluated groups. The group of men ≥50 years had significantly more sperm with damaged DNA, low blastocyst development rate, and higher aneuploidy rates in embryos compared to the other two evaluated groups (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that advanced paternal age increases the aneuploidy rates in embryos from donated oocytes, which suggests that genetic screening is necessary in those egg donor cycles with sperm from patients >50 years old.

The effects of aging on semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation

“…Petersen et al (2018) also concluded that DNA fragmentation worsened with age and associated it with mitochondrial damage, since mitochondrial membrane potentials deteriorate significantly with age. One might argue that it is advisable to assess older men seeking fertility treatment for DNA fragmentation, since it may cause infertility (Ahmadi et al, 2016) and increase miscarriage rates (García-Ferreyra et al, 2015). Antioxidant therapy might be an option to treat men with sperm damage (Ahmadi et al, 2016).…”

“…In addition, our study did not control for other variables such as obesity, smoking, or alcohol drinking. These variables may also affect sperm parameters (García-Ferreyra et al, 2015;Oliveira et al, 2018). More studies with greater numbers of normal fertile individuals must be performed to confirm the effects of aging on sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm DNA fragmentation.…”

Effects of aging on the male reproductive system

“…A recent study has demonstrated that there was no difference in fertilization rates and quality of embryos at day 3 among different paternal age groups. However, aneuploidy rates in embryos from donated oocytes increased significantly with paternal age for patients older than 50 years concurrent with increased sperm DNA fragmentation [107]. The effects of advanced paternal age on reproductive outcomes including live birth, pregnancy loss, miscarriages and implantation rates, fertilization, and embryo development and morphology are summarized in Table 3.…”

Comparison of Human Oocyte Activation Between Round-Headed Sperm Injection Followed by Calcium Ionophore Treatment and Normal Sperm Injection in a Patient With Globozoospermia

“…Furthermore, it has been suggested that sperm DNA fragmentation may be high in globozoospermia (5). More aneuploid embryos may be created if the sperm with fragmented DNA are used for ICSI (27,28). However, this was not examined in the present case report.…”