Effect of paternal age on human sperm chromosomes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether increased age alters the frequency and type of chromosomal anomalies in human spermatozoa.


METHODS
Semen specimens were collected from donors via masturbation; cytogenetic studies were performed on sperm chromosomes after heterologous (human-hamster) in vitro fertilization.


METHODS
Cytogenetics Laboratory, Genetics Department, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil.


METHODS
Seven men ages 59-74 (older group) and five men ages 23-39 (control group).


METHODS
Frequency and types of chromosomal anomalies in older and control group donors.


RESULTS
The frequency of numerical and structural aberrations (acentric fragments and complex radial figures) was significantly greater in chromosomes of older donors when compared with those of the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The higher frequency of sperm chromosome aberrations in older men was mainly a result of increased nondisjunction, acentric fragments, and complex radial figures.
Sartorelli
E M
EM
Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Centro de Ciĕncias Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. elza@ccb.ufsc.br
Mazzucatto
L F
LF
de Pina-Neto
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010331:Paternal Age; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*