Relationship between paternal factors and embryonic aneuploidy of paternal origin

Abstract

Objective: To determine if there is a relationship between paternal factors and embryonic aneuploidy of paternal origin using preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A).

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Academic.

Participants: Couples undergoing in vitro fertilization with PGT-A.

Interventions: None.

Main outcome measure: To determine if there is an association between paternal age, body mass index (BMI), or semen analysis parameters and paternal aneuploidy.

Results: From January 2015-2020, 453 in vitro fertilization cycles (1,720 embryos) underwent PGT-A using single nucleotide polymorphism microarrays with parental support bioinformatics. The mean (±SD) was 36.5 (±3.5) years for maternal age, 39.5 (±5.5) years for paternal age, 24.7 (±5.0) kg/m² for maternal BMI, and 27.6 (±4.3) kg/m² for paternal BMI. Embryonic aneuploidy of paternal origin was found in 8.4% (144/1,720) embryos. There were 1,533 embryos with a recorded paternal BMI. Rates of embryonic aneuploidy of paternal origin were similar between men across BMI groups: BMI 18-24.9 kg/m² was 7.2% (referent); BMI 25-29.9 kg/m² was 8.4% (odds ratio [OR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79-1.82); and BMI ≥30 kg/m² was 9.1% (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.83-2.08). There were 854 embryos from men with a normal and 866 from men with an abnormal semen analysis. No differences were found in the rate of embryonic aneuploidy of paternal origin between men with normal and abnormal sperm concentration, total count, motility, progressive motility, or morphology. No significant difference was seen in rates of aneuploidy between men aged <50 years and those aged ≥50 years (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 0.96-2.98).

Conclusion: No association was found between paternal age, BMI, or semen analysis parameters and paternal aneuploidy.

Keywords: Aneuploidy; body mass index; paternal age; preimplantation genetic testing; semen analysis.