title: Age-related increase of reactive oxygen species in neat semen in healthy fertile men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effects of advancing paternal age on the male reproductive system are well known, but its effects on fecundity remain controversial. Although oxidative stress is associated with poor semen quality and function, a relationship with advancing male age has not been established. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between male age and seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in men presenting for voluntary sterilization.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively evaluated 98 fertile men who were candidates for vasectomy. These were divided into 2 age groups: less than 40 years (n = 78) and 40 or more years (n = 20). We used 46 infertile patients as positive controls. Standard semen analysis, seminal leukocyte count and ROS levels were measured in all samples. Fertile men with leukocytospermia were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the men was 35.1 +/- 5.6 years. Men 40 years and older had significantly higher ROS levels compared with younger men (P <0.001). We observed a positive correlation between seminal ROS levels and age (r = 0.20; P = 0.040). In addition, ROS was negatively correlated with sperm concentration (r = -0.48; P <0.001) and motility (r = -0.21; P = 0.030).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reactive oxygen species levels are significant higher in seminal ejaculates of healthy fertile men older than 40 years. ROS levels in whole ejaculate are significantly correlated to age among fertile men. Because ROS are clearly implicated in the pathogenesis of male infertility, these data suggest that delayed fatherhood may reduce the chances of pregnancy as men become progressively less fertile with age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. mcocuzza@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cocuzza
authors.forename: Kelly S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Athayde
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pagani
authors.forename: Antonio M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lucon
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Srougi
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hallak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000032:analysis*; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species