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      Healthy ageing and spermatogenesis

      1 , 2 , 2 , 2
      Reproduction
      Bioscientifica

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          Abstract

          Delayed family planning and increased parental age increase the risk for infertility and impaired offspring health. While the impact of ageing on oogenesis is well studied, this is less understood on spermatogenesis. Assessing ageing effects on the male germline presents a challenge in differentiating between the effects of ageing-associated morbidities, infertility and ‘pure’ ageing. However, understanding the impact of ageing on male germ cells requires the separation of age from other factors. In this review, we therefore discuss the current knowledge on healthy ageing and spermatogenesis. Male ageing has been previously associated with declining sperm parameters, disrupted hormone secretion and increased time-to-pregnancy, among others. However, recent data show that healthy ageing does not deteriorate testicular function in terms of hormone production and spermatogenic output. In addition, intrinsic, age-dependent, highly specific processes occur in ageing germ cells that are clearly distinct from somatic ageing. Changes in spermatogonial stem cell populations indicate compensation for stem cell exhaustion. Alterations in the stem cell niche and molecular ageing signatures in sperm can be observed in ageing fertile men. DNA fragmentation rates as well as changes in DNA methylation patterns and increased telomere length are hallmarks of ageing sperm. Taken together, we propose a putative link between the re-activation of quiescent A dark spermatogonia and molecular changes in aged sperm descending from these activated spermatogonia. We suggest a baseline of ‘pure' age effects in male germ cells which can be used for subsequent studies in which the impact of infertility or co-morbidities will be studied.

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          Author and article information

          Journal
          Reproduction
          Bioscientifica
          1470-1626
          1741-7899
          April 2021
          April 2021
          April 2021
          April 2021
          : 161
          : 4
          : R89-R101
          Affiliations
          [1 ]1Institute of Human Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
          [2 ]2Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
          Article
          10.1530/REP-20-0633
          33574214
          4a8d06bc-fc41-4983-a01a-892d744d9562
          © 2021
          History

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