Sperm Count by Age and Average Ejaculatory Volume Explained

When we talk about fertility, understanding sperm count by age is pretty important, especially if you're trying to conceive. As men get older, things like sperm count and the amount of semen (ejaculatory volume) change. These changes can make it harder to conceive naturally, though it’s definitely not impossible. In this article, we’ll look at how sperm count and ejaculatory volume shift as you age and what you can do to support your fertility.

Sperm count by age and how it affects fertility

So, how does sperm count by age really affect fertility? Well, to start, sperm count usually decreases as men get older, especially after the age of 40 [1]. When you’re younger, the average sperm count is anywhere between 15 and 200 million sperm per milliliter of semen, but as you age, that number tends to go down. However, men still produce sperm throughout their life. It’s just that, with age, the number and the quality aren’t the same as before.

If you look at a sperm count by age chart, you’ll see that men in their 20s or 30s usually have higher sperm counts compared to men in their 40s or 50s [2]. While sperm production keeps going, it’s not as efficient, which can make it harder to conceive naturally the older you get.

Top Tip: Include foods rich in antioxidants like Vitamin C and E to protect sperm from damage caused by age. Simple changes can really help.

Average ejaculatory volume by age

Then, there’s the average ejaculatory volume by age. This is basically the amount of semen that comes out during ejaculation. Younger men typically have more ejaculate than older men [3]. The average ejaculate volume by age for a younger man can be anywhere between 3 to 5 milliliters, but as you get older, the volume decreases. And that’s not just a random stat—less ejaculatory volume means fewer sperm reaching the egg, which can make getting pregnant a little tougher.

For older men, especially over 50, this decrease is pretty significant [4]. A lower volume can also be linked to other issues like sperm quality or motility, which just adds more challenges to the whole conception process.

Top Tip: Stay hydrated! It sounds simple, but drinking plenty of water can help maintain healthy ejaculatory volume.

Male sperm count by age chart

If you’ve ever looked at a male sperm count by age chart, you’ve probably noticed that sperm count starts out higher when you're younger. Men in their 20s can have a sperm count ranging from 60 to 100 million per milliliter, but by the time you’re in your 40s, that number might drop to 40 million per milliliter or less [5]. The average sperm count by age shows a steady decline after the age of 35, which means older men may face more challenges with fertility. The topic of at what age can males produce sperm is important when considering changes in sperm count over time.

And it's not just about the number of sperm either. As you age, the quality of sperm also declines, which brings us to the next point.

Quality of sperm with age

The quality of sperm with age is another important thing to think about. As men age, sperm quality declines due to factors like oxidative stress [6]. This can lead to damaged DNA within sperm cells, which might increase the risk of genetic abnormalities. Plus, sperm motility (how well sperm can swim) and morphology (the shape of sperm) also tend to decrease with age.

That’s why it’s important to get enough antioxidants, like CoQ10, Selenium, and Zinc. These nutrients help protect sperm from oxidative damage and improve overall sperm quality, even as you get older. Supplements with ingredients like Zinc and CoQ10 can support sperm health and motility, especially as men age.

Top Tip: Adding Zinc and CoQ10 supplements to your routine can really help improve both sperm quality and motility.

The Bottom Line

In the end, the connection between sperm count by age and fertility is pretty clear. As men get older, both sperm count and ejaculatory volume go down, making it harder—but not impossible—to conceive naturally. However, with some key lifestyle changes, better nutrition, and the right supplements, it’s possible to maintain better sperm health and improve your chances of conceiving.

FAQs

Does sperm count really decrease as you age?

Yes, sperm count tends to decrease after age 35, and even more after 40 [7].

What’s a normal ejaculatory volume?

The normal range is between 1.5 to 5 ml, but this tends to drop as men age [8].

Can sperm quality get better with age?

Actually, no. Sperm quality typically declines, but antioxidants like CoQ10 and Zinc can help improve it [9].

How does ejaculatory volume affect getting pregnant?

Lower volume means fewer sperm to fertilize the egg, which makes conception a bit more difficult [10].

What can I do to keep my sperm healthy as I get older?

Focus on a healthy diet, regular exercise, and consider taking Zinc and Vitamin C supplements to support sperm health [11].

Citations

1. Kidd SA, Eskenazi B, Wyrobek AJ. Effects of male age on semen quality and fertility: a review of the literature. Fertil Steril. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11172821/
2. Levitas E, Lunenfeld E, Weisz N, Friger M, Potashnik G. Relationship between age and semen parameters in men with normal sperm concentration: analysis of 6022 semen samples. Andrologia. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17430422/
3. Ulubay M, Bahaettin Ulu M, Akdeniz E. The effect of aging on semen parameters in normozoospermic men: A cross-sectional study. Int J Reprod Biomed. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9806242/
4. Lu XM, Liu YB, Zhang DD, Cao X, Zhang TC, Liu M, Shi HJ, Dong X, Liu SY. Effect of advanced paternal age on reproductive outcomes in IVF cycles of non-male-factor infertility: a retrospective cohort study. Asian J Androl. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10069682/
5. Pino V, Sanz A, Valdés N, Crosby J, Mackenna A. The effects of aging on semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation. JBRA Assist Reprod. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31692316/
6. Sharma R, Agarwal A, Rohra VK, Assidi M, Abu-Elmagd M, Turki RF. Effects of increased paternal age on sperm quality, reproductive outcome and associated epigenetic risks to offspring. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4455614/
7. Halvaei I, Litzky J, Esfandiari N. Advanced paternal age: effects on sperm parameters, assisted reproduction outcomes and offspring health. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7664076/
8. Jørgensen N, Andersen AG, Eustache F, Irvine DS, Suominen J, Petersen JH, Andersen AN, Auger J, Cawood EH, Horte A, Jensen TK, Jouannet P, Keiding N, Vierula M, Toppari J, Skakkebaek NE. Regional differences in semen quality in Europe. Hum Reprod. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11331653/
9. Dimitriadis F, Borgmann H, Struck JP, Salem J, Kuru TH. Antioxidant Supplementation on Male Fertility-A Systematic Review. Antioxidants (Basel). Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10135082/
10. Levitas E, Lunenfeld E, Weisz N, Friger M, Potashnik G. Relationship between age and semen parameters in men with normal sperm concentration: analysis of 6022 semen samples. Andrologia. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17430422/
11. Kidd, Sharon A et al. Effects of male age on semen quality and fertility: a review of the literature. Fertility and Sterility Available at: https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(00)01679-4/fulltext