The effect of paternal age on semen quality and fertilization outcome in men with normal sperm DNA compaction, reactive oxygen species, and total antioxidant capacity levels

OBJECTIVE: Studies showed a decrease of the semen analysis parameters and an increase in the average age of first-time fathers over the past several decades. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of paternal age on semen quality and fertilization outcomes in men with normal sperm DNA fragmentation and chromatin maturation index (DFI and CMI), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed on 70 men with their wife’s age ≤38 years and normal sperm DFI, CMI, ROS, and TAC levels. None of the couples had a history of genital inflammation, chronic diseases, endocrine abnormality, chromosomal aberrations, Y chromosome microdeletion, azoospermia, and leukocytospermia. These men were separated into 2 groups according to their age (group A: age