Male Age and Andropause

Abstract

It has long been presumed that a decline in testosterone occurs with increased male age. This notion is now definitively recognized and its impact on men’s health and fertility can be quite significant. The decline in androgens with age is likely multifactorial and can result in a collection of symptoms including fatigue and decreased libido. This collection of symptoms occurring with advanced male age has been termed andropause and can significantly impact male fertility, metabolic health, and quality of life. What was once considered a recent trend toward delayed parenthood has now become an established norm within modern society. Although maternal age has been well established as a strong predictor for fertility success, attention has been increasingly diverted toward the role that paternal age plays as well. Sperm DNA fragmentation, age-related endocrine changes, and increased susceptibility to reactive oxygen species have all been linked to age-related infertility. In addition to the effect advanced paternal age has on fertility, it has also been shown to play a role in the genetic health of future offspring. Recent studies demonstrate that the variability in the mutation rate in offspring is closely associated with the age of the father at time of conception.