Semen Quality Decreases with Advanced Age

Published Online: Saturday, March 1, 2003   [ Request Print ]

A study of 97 healthy, nonsmoking men found that increased age makes men less fertile, specifically with a decrease in semen volume and sperm motility. The men, aged between 22 and 80 and without any known fertility problems, provided semen samples and information on their lifestyles. Semen volume decreased by 0.03 mL per year of age, motility decreased by 0.7%, and motile sperm count decreased by 4.7% a year. These findings, which support earlier studies, suggest that delaying fatherhood may affect the chance of success.