Researchers have known for some time that sperm can deteriorate as men age. These changes can affect various aspects, including the volume of ejaculate, sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm DNA quality. While sperm can start to deteriorate as early as 35, the changes don’t start at the same time. As a result, researchers have not yet been able to pinpoint when certain aspects of deterioration are likely to occur. When it comes to DNA abnormalities, however, studies show that men over 40 could start to show more than 10 percent fragmentation. Furthermore, they’re twice as likely to have higher numbers of DNA abnormalities than younger men. Unfortunately, according to a recent study, the extent of these abnormalities may be more severe than initially thought.
RELATED: Running Low? 5 Ways Men Can Increase Their Sperm Count
What The New Study Revealed
The new findings can be attributed to the development of more accurate technology. Before this study, researchers were able to show that DNA abnormalities in sperm increased with age, but couldn’t pinpoint why this happened. In this new study, researchers assessed the sperm of 81 men who were between the ages of 25 and 74.
You May Also Like
While the participants who were in their early 30s showed two percent DNA abnormalities, this number rose to three percent for those who were 43 to 58. The participants who were between 59 and 74 had samples that showed five percent DNA abnormalities. Before this study, researchers had only been able to say that older men were more likely to have double the risk of concerning levels of DNA fragmentation in their sperm.
Additionally, the study was able to establish why the risk of DNA fragmentation grew with age. At first, researchers estimated that bodies may create a more ideal environment for abnormalities over time. However, the study shows that over time, the body begins to favor certain cells that have abnormalities. This means that not only is your body more likely to produce sperm cells with DNA fragmentation, it’s more prone to replicating the damaged DNA.
Although prior studies identified 13 genes that were associated with abnormalities, this study expanded the list to 40. This showed that older men were at risk for not only more DNA fragmentation in their sperm but also passing on a longer list of potential genetic disorders to their children.
You May Also Like
While the study didn’t break participants into groups based on ethnicity, there’s precedent for Black men to be extra cautious. Black Americans are already more prone to several illnesses because of their genetics. Currently, that list includes asthma, lupus, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, uterine fibroids, chronic kidney disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. They can have a higher risk of genetic abnormalities in sperm as well.
Signs That You May Be Dealing With DNA Abnormalities
You should note that you won’t have any external signs of DNA abnormalities or DNA fragmentation in your sperm. It’s more likely to be suggested based on your experience with fertility. If you have a child who was diagnosed with a genetic disorder that’s linked to chromosomal abnormalities, it’s possible that DNA fragmentation could be a factor.
You may also be dealing with DNA abnormalities in your sperm if you’ve been having trouble getting your partner pregnant despite having unprotected sex regularly. Your partner may also experience miscarriages frequently. If you’ve tried fertility treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF), they may not have been successful. Even if the treatments are successful, your doctor may notice that the embryo doesn’t develop well.
Finally, general tests of your sperm may give you normal results. That means the tests show that you’re producing a normal amount of semen, and the sperm are motile. However, those tests may not dig deeper into the genetic level to expose the root cause of the problem.
Given that DNA abnormalities can start as early as 35, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about testing your sperm regularly. While you can make some changes to your lifestyle to encourage healthy sperm, it’s not possible to completely avoid DNA fragmentation. It’s best to develop a plan to detect abnormalities and modify your fertility plan if you’d like to have children.
RELATED: 5 Facts About Sperm Everyone Should Know
Tests for DNA Abnormalities in Sperm
The first thing you should know is that there may be at-home tests that purport to test for sperm issues, but those may not suit your needs. These tests are usually designed to check for sperm count and motility, so they won’t be able to tell you if there’s anything wrong with your sperm’s DNA. Your best bet is to seek out a medical facility that does DNA tests on sperm.
Typically, you would need to submit a sample for a sperm aneuploidy test (SAT). This test evaluates sperm for abnormal chromosomes or having an abnormal number of chromosomes. It will also show how many chromosomes within your sperm sample showed signs of abnormalities. While you may be able to request that the lab pay special attention to certain chromosomes, technicians will likely perform tests on the chromosomes that are usually associated with miscarriages and certain genetic disorders.
For example, having an extra copy of chromosome 21 would lead to Down syndrome. If there are abnormalities with the X chromosome, a child may develop Fragile X or Martin-Bell syndrome. This is a genetic disorder that can cause developmental delays, trouble communicating, mental health issues, poor eye contact, and a long, narrow forehead.
Having an additional X chromosome can also result in Klinefelter syndrome. This genetic disorder is found in about one in 600 men, but experts suggest that up to 80 percent of them may not know. This may occur because the symptoms of the disorder can vary in severity, and it’s possible not to have all of them. Some of the symptoms include having a smaller penis, undescended testicles, flat feet, excessive breast tissue, an increased risk of developing blood clots, and a higher risk of breaking bones.
Apart from identifying chromosomal abnormalities, getting tested can also help you to identify an effective fertility plan if you still want to have children. Since the SAT can identify which sperm have DNA abnormalities, it can also determine if you have enough healthy sperm to do fertility treatments with a partner. Doing this kind of separation of healthy sperm can help to prevent the development of genetic disorders in your children.
The recent study regarding how aging affects DNA in sperm has opened many doctors’ eyes about what happens with older men. If you have any concerns about the health of your sperm, it’s a good idea to get tested so you know what you’re dealing with.
