Effect of male age on the outcome of in vitro fertilization: oocyte donation as a model.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the influence of male age on the outcome of oocyte donation cycles.


METHODS
A total 103 oocyte donation cycles of 70 couples (male aged 26 to 57) were examined, all of which were performed with conventional in vitro fertilization using fresh ejaculation sperm. Main outcome measures were fertilization rate, clinical pregnancy, live birth rates and pregnancy loss.


RESULTS
A total 122 cryopreserved embryo transfer were performed, resulting in 34 cycles resulted in clinical pregnancy and 27 live births. No significant correlation was found between male age and fertilization rate. No significant difference was found in male age between the patients who achieved clinical pregnancy and live birth and those who did not. All the pregnancy loss occurred in cycles where the male was older than 37, however, when the cycles were divided into two groups according to whether or not male age older than 37, no statistically significant difference was not found in pregnancy loss rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Aging of the male has no significant impact on fertilization, pregnancy or live birth in oocyte donation cycles, but may be associated with pregnancy loss.
Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
Longjie
L
Gu
Hanwang
H
Zhang
Li
L
Yin
Zhiqin
Z
Bu
Guijin
G
Zhu
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018587:Oocyte Donation; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate