We have recently explained the impact of age and health conditions on male fertility. Now, we would like to focus on male fertility preservation. As men age, natural changes can affect reproductive capabilities, but proactive How to Preserve Male Fertility at an Older Age
We have recently explained the impact of age and health conditions on male fertility. Now, we would like to focus on male fertility preservation. As men age, natural changes can affect reproductive capabilities, but proactive measures such as sperm freezing for men can help maintain fertility health. Male fertility after 40 years can be affected by a decline in sperm quality, but with the right approach, men can take control of their reproductive future.
Understanding Age-Related Changes in Male Fertility
With the natural process of ageing, men may experience a decline in sperm quality, including reduced motility and increased DNA fragmentation. These changes can lead to challenges in achieving conception and may increase the risk of genetic abnormalities in offspring. Understanding these potential issues is the first step towards effective male fertility preservation.
Age-Related Changes in Male Fertility
Several factors contribute to the decline in male fertility as age advances:
- Sperm Quality Decline: Ageing can lead to decreased sperm motility and morphological abnormalities, making it harder for sperm to reach and fertilise the egg.
- Reduced Semen Volume: Older men often produce less semen, resulting in fewer sperm available for fertilisation.
- DNA Fragmentation: Increased DNA fragmentation in sperm is associated with ageing, potentially hindering embryo development and increasing miscarriage risk.
- Health Conditions: Age-related ailments like hypertension and diabetes can indirectly affect fertility by impairing sexual function and sperm quality.
Non-Age-Related Factors Influencing Male Reproductive Health
Beyond ageing, several factors can impact male fertility:
- Genetics: Inherited disorders, such as Klinefelter syndrome, can impair sperm production.
- Lifestyle Choices: Poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and chronic stress can negatively affect sperm quality.
- Environmental Exposures: Contact with toxins, chemicals and radiation can impair sperm production.
- Medical Conditions: Infections, hormonal disorders and varicocele can adversely affect fertility.
- Occupational Hazards: Prolonged sitting, especially in hot environments and exposure to certain chemicals can elevate infertility risks.
- Obesity: Linked to lower testosterone levels and increased sperm DNA damage, obesity can reduce sperm motility and count.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage nerves and blood vessels, leading to erectile dysfunction and hormonal imbalances affecting sperm production.
Strategies for Addressing Age-Related Fertility Issues
Men can adopt various approaches to mitigate the impact of ageing on fertility:
Lifestyle Modifications:
- Diet: A balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals supports sperm health.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity promotes overall health and hormonal balance.
- Avoiding Toxins: Steering clear of tobacco and limiting alcohol consumption can enhance sperm quality.
Medical Interventions:
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART): Procedures like in vitro fertilisation (IVF) combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can help overcome issues related to low sperm count or poor motility.
Fertility Testing and Preservation:
- Semen Analysis: Early fertility testing provides insights into reproductive potential by assessing sperm count, motility, and morphology.
- Sperm Freezing (Cryopreservation): Freezing sperm at a younger age preserves fertility for future use, especially as sperm quality declines with age.
Understanding Sperm Freezing (Cryopreservation)
Sperm freezing is a method used to preserve male fertility by storing sperm cells for future use. This process is beneficial for men who may face fertility challenges due to medical treatments, advancing age or other factors.
Process of Sperm Freezing:
- Collection: Sperm is typically collected through masturbation. In cases where this isn’t possible, surgical retrieval methods may be employed.
- Analysis: The collected sample undergoes semen analysis to assess sperm count, motility and morphology.
- Preparation: Sperm is mixed with a cryoprotectant to protect cells during the freezing process.
- Freezing: The prepared sperm is gradually cooled and stored in liquid nitrogen at temperatures around -196°C.
- Storage: Frozen sperm can be stored for many years, maintaining viability for future use in assisted reproductive technologies.
Benefits of Sperm Freezing:
- Fertility Preservation: Allows men to father biological children later in life.
- Medical Reasons: Beneficial for those undergoing treatments like chemotherapy that may affect fertility.
- Lifestyle Choices: Provides options for men not ready to start a family but wish to preserve future fertility.
Effectiveness of Sperm Freezing:
Sperm freezing is a well-established method with high success rates. The viability of thawed sperm is generally good and many men have successfully fathered children using frozen sperm. However, individual outcomes can vary based on factors like sperm quality before freezing and the freezing method used.
Considerations and Risks:
- Cost: Initial costs and ongoing storage fees can accumulate over time.
- Storage Duration: While sperm can be stored indefinitely, regulations in some countries may limit storage time. In India, the standard storage duration is up to 10 years.
- Sperm Quality: Not all sperm survive the freezing and thawing process, which may affect the success rates of future fertility treatments.
Conclusion
Preserving male fertility at an older age involves a combination of lifestyle modifications, medical interventions and proactive fertility preservation strategies. Understanding the impact of age and other factors on reproductive health empowers men to make informed decisions about their fertility. An Andrology Center, we offer both manual and AI semen analysis, along with DFI testing. We are proud to state that we are the only laboratory in India authorised to carry out the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA®) test method for DFI (DNA Fragmentation Index). Under the same roof, we also conduct blood, hormone and other related tests. Our standardised reports help fertility specialists in arriving at the best decision for treatment, ensuring the best possible outcomes for those wishing to father children later in life.
