Correlation of age,sperm DNA fragmentation with semen parameters in infertile males

Objectives: To analyze the correlation of age and sperm DNA fragmentation with semen parameters in infertile males.Methods: Eighty-five cases of infertile males were divided by age into three groups: 20-29 age group(n=31),30-35 age group(n=28),36-50 group,(n=26).Sperm DNA fragmentation was measured by sperm chromatin dispersion(SCD).Semen conventional analysis was performed based on WHO criteria(1999).Results: Age negatively correlated with sperm motility(r=-2.31,P0.05),but was independent of sperm fragmentation,sperm concentration and sperm morphology.Sperm concentration was found to have significant positive correlation with sperm morphology(r=0.528,P0.01)and sperm motility(r=0.31,P0.01).No correlations were found.between sperm DNA fragmentation and semen parameters.Conclusion: Increased age of infertile men is associated with a decline in sperm motility and would exert a negative influence on male fertility.Measurement of sperm DNA fragmentation can be complementary to sperm parameters in the evaluation of male fertility.