This observational study will evaluate whether sperm cryopreservation can help preserve sperm quality and molecular characteristics that may be affected by increasing paternal age. Men aged 18 years and older will provide a semen sample and a blood sample for laboratory analysis. Each semen sample will be divided into fresh, slow-frozen, and vitrified aliquots. The study will compare sperm quality (as assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis), DNA methylation profiles, DNA fragmentation, sperm telomere length before and after cryopreservation. The effects of age on these parameters will also be assessed. The impact of age on seminal plasma extracellular vesicle composition and blood cell telomere length will also be analysed. The goal is to determine whether sperm cryopreservation may represent a strategy for preserving sperm characteristics associated with younger paternal age.
Eligibility
Sex
MALE
Min age
18 Years
Max age
65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Inclusion Criteria:
* Male participants aged 18 to 65 years
* Attending IVI Murcia for semen analysis and/or assisted reproduction treatment
* Able and willing to provide written informed consent
* Willing to provide a semen sample and a blood sample for research purposes
Exclusion Criteria:
* Previous diagnosis of azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia (sperm concentration \<1 million sperm/mL)
* Known chromosomal abnormality (abnormal karyotype)
* Known Y chromosome microdeletion
* Febrile illness within the previous 3 months
* Presence of varicocele
* Current use of vitamin or antioxidant supplements intended to improve semen quality
Primary outcome measure(s)
Sperm DNA methylation profile — Baseline (study semen collection visit) and after thawing of cryopreserved semen samples, through study completion (up to 9 months). DNA methylation levels of a predefined nine-gene panel measured by pyrosequencing with duplicate measurements and compared between fresh, slow-frozen, and vitrified sperm samples.
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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