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Significance Reduced fertility with advancing age is well known in females but understudied in males. Most previous work on male reproductive aging has focused on age-related effects on sperm. However, nonsperm seminal fluid is also vital for fertility but might age differently. Using fruit flies, we find that seminal fluid and sperm are both qualitatively and quantitatively affected by age with each making distinct contributions to declining reproductive performance in older males. However, the relative impacts on sperm and seminal fluid often differ, leading to mismatches between ejaculate components. Despite these differences, experimental extension of male lifespan can improve overall ejaculate performance in later life, suggesting that such interventions can delay both male reproductive aging and death.

Original publication

DOI

10.1073/pnas.2009053117

Type

Journal article

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Publisher

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Publication Date

21/07/2020

Volume

117

Pages

17094 - 17103