scholarly journals Correlation between the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and sperm morphology of infertile patients

Author(s):  
Alberto Ferrigno ◽  
Giovanni Ruvolo ◽  
Giuseppina Capra ◽  
Nicola Serra ◽  
Liana Bosco

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the correlation between the DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) and sperm morphology in patients undergoing ICSI, as a predictive parameter in reproductive outcomes. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 125 infertile patients enrolled in a fertility clinic. Seminal characteristics were measured following the WHO guidelines (2010) for the examination of the seminal fluid. After collecting motile sperm population by pellet swim up, DFI was calculated and simultaneously associated with sperm morphology using in situ TUNEL assay and an image analyzer software in at least 250 spermatozoa for each patient. Results All subjects were divided into two groups according to a cutoff established, by choice, of the sperm DFI (15%): group A (< 15%) consisting of 65 patients and group B (≥ 15%) of 60 patients. Data were analyzed using non-parametric statistical methods. The results demonstrate that there is no statistical difference between the two groups in seminal characteristics. The collective data show a high significant correlation, suggesting that spermatozoa with abnormal morphology are the best candidates to contain DNA damage (p < 0.001). Also, when group A is compared with group B, an increased percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa with fragmented DNA was observed in patients, with DFI values ≥ 15% (p < 0.001). Conclusion These results are aimed at providing an exact value of DFI in morphologically normal spermatozoa, which will be helpful to the embryologist in evaluating the risk of transferring, during the ICSI procedure, a spermatozoon whit normal morphology but fragmented DNA.

2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamadreza Dadfar ◽  
Alireza Kheradmand ◽  
Hayat Mombeini ◽  
Javad Mohammadi Asl ◽  
Abbas Mahdavian

Objectives: To investigate changes in DNA fragmentation index in primary infertile patients with varicocele, which is followed by microscopic subingual varicocelectomy in different groups based on body mass index (BMI). Methods: This study was performed in 100 patients with primary infertility with varicocele. Patients were divided into three groups (normal (N), overweight (OW), and obese (OB)) based on BMI index. DNA fragmentation index (DFI) parameters were evaluated before and 6 months after varicocelectomy. For DFI analysis, the SCD (sperm chromatin dispersion test) method was used. Data were analyzed using t-test, Chi-square, and ANOVA. Results: In this study, the mean age of participants was 33.6 and their mean BMI was 28.6, that 51 patients underwent bilateral varicocelectomy and 49 patients underwent left varicocelectomy surgery. In this study, a comparison of DFI before and 6 months after surgery showed a decrease in DFI in all three groups. The difference was 23 in the normal weight group, 11.2 in the overweight group and 9.58 in the obese group, which is statistically significant (PV < 0.05). Also, in comparison with the rate of DFI reduction between groups, the normal weight group showed a greater decrease than the overweight and obese group. This difference was statistically significant (PV < 0.05), while comparing the rate of DFI reduction between the two groups of overweight and obese, was observed no significant difference (PV = 0.635). Conclusions: Although DFI level decreased significantly 6 months after surgery in all groups with different body mass index. However, the rate of reduction was not the same in different groups and was higher in normal-weight patients than in overweight and obese individuals. But there was no significant difference in the rate of reduction between the overweight and obese groups.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A D Crippa ◽  
M C Magli ◽  
A P Ferraretti ◽  
L Gianaroli

Abstract Study question Does sperm DNA integrity evaluated by DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and big halo pattern correlate with sperm decondensation index (SDI) and semen sample parameters? Summary answer DFI correlates with SDI and semen sample parameters in a stronger way than the big halo pattern What is known already The sperm chromatin dispersion test evaluates DNA integrity by measuring the susceptibility of sperm DNA containing breaks to denature when treated by an acid solution. Spermatozoa with intact DNA produce big or medium size halos of dispersed DNA loops, whereas small halos or no halos indicate fragmented DNA. The DFI calculates the proportion of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA. Data have been published documenting the negative effect of sperm DFI on embryo viability, suggesting that its evaluation could contribute to the prediction of the male reproductive potential Study design, size, duration A prospective study between 2011 to 2019 included 300 patients attending our clinic for fertility treatment. All sperm samples were analyzed according to WHO criteria, and the results from the DNA integrity analysis were related to the semen sample indices Participants/materials, setting, methods Of the 300 males included in the study, 118 were normozoospermic, 16 were oligozoospermic (O), 63 were asthenozoospermic (A), 9 were teratozoospermic, 7 were AT, 51 were OA, 5 were OT, and 31 OAT. The DNA integrity was assessed by the Halosperm test, and DNA decondensation by the aniline blue assay. A big halo was defined as a dispersion greater or equal to the length of the minor diameter of the core Main results and the role of chance DFI showed negative correlations with progressive motility (r= –0.532, p = 2.816 E–23), total motility (r= –0.598, p = 1.688 E–30) and morphology (r= –0.338, p = 2.954 E–9). Accordingly, when compared with normozoospermic, DFI was significantly higher in A and T samples (29.5 ±12.0 and 36.5±4.8 respectively, p &lt; 0.002) with the highest levels found in samples with combined defects (45.2±12.5 in AT, p &lt; 0.002; 51.3±17.2 in OAT, p &lt; 0.002). DFI also showed a negative correlation with the big halo pattern (r= –0.656, p = 2.934 E–38) and a positive correlation with the SDI (r = 0.429, p = 7.314 E–15). For the big halo, negative correlations were found with progressive motility (r = 0.429, p = 7.314 E–15) and morphology (r = 0.407, p = 4.077 E–13) resulting in a lower incidence in T samples (27.0±9.6, p &lt; 0.002) that was especially relevant in AT (18.3±14.5, p &lt; 0.002), OT (33.0±10.2, p &lt; 0.02) and OAT samples (20.6±15.8, p &lt; 0.002). SDI presented a negative correlation with total motility (r= –0.403, p = 3.849 E–13) and was fond to be increased in A samples (32.4±11.8, p &lt; 0.002) as well as in samples with double defects (38.9±19.2 in AT samples and 38.8±15.9 in OA samples, p &lt; 0.002) and triple defects (42.6±16.8 in OAT, p &lt; 0.002) Limitations, reasons for caution The study did not evaluate the lifestyle and reproductive history of the patients Wider implications of the findings: Although the effects of sperm DNA damage on reproductive outcomes are still unclear, the correlation between sperm DNA fragmentation, semen parameters and reproductive potential is emerging. DFI, big halo and SDI could contribute to the diagnosis of male infertility especially in categories of patients with poor prognosis of pregnancy. Trial registration number Not applicable


Vestnik ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 226-232
Author(s):  
К. К. Тлеуханов ◽  
Н. А. Алтыбаева ◽  
М. К. Отарбаев ◽  
Е. М. Тойшибеков ◽  
А. А. Тлеуханова

В статье представлены собранные данные о методах устранения повышенной частоты фрагментации ДНК у сперматозоидов, которые в некоторых исследованиях подтверждают, что введение антиоксидантов может снизить уровень фрагментации ДНК у сперматозоидов. The article presents collected data on methods of eliminating the increased frequency of DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa, which in some studies confirm that the introduction of antioxidants can reduce the level of DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K C Mantravadi ◽  
D R Gedela

Abstract Study question In Individuals with raised Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index (SDF), will sperm selection by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) or surgical retrieval of testicular sperms (TESA) optimize the reproductive outcomes? Summary answer Couples with failed implantation raised SDF, TESA /MACS offer similar results. This RCT doesn’t prove superiority or added benefit with any of the above interventions. What is known already It is evident that raised SDF negatively affects the reproductive outcomes. Management for raised SDF to optimize reproductive outcomes is still elusive. Study design, size, duration This was a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) with prior approval from institutional Ethical Committee and trial registration. Couples undergoing stimulation with raised SDF were randomized to MACS (n = 75) and TESA (n = 75) for sperm selection between April2019 & February2020. Participants/materials, setting, methods Couples with history of one failed IVF had SDF testing and SDF&gt;30% were recruited. SDF test done with SCSA method and randomized using software. ICSI was the method of insemination. Extended embryo culture till blastocyst was done and freeze all policy was opted. Two Blastocysts that showed 100% survival were transferred in a Frozen Embryo transfer (FET) cycle. Embryonic and Reproductive outcomes were compared between both groups. Live birth and Miscarriage were the primary outcomes. Main results and the role of chance Reproductive Outcomes of MACS Vs TESA were: Average Blastocyst conversion - 32% Vs 39% (RR 1.22, CI1.00 to 1.50) Implantation rate (IR) - 50% Vs 35% (RR - 0.71, CI 0.51 to 0.98) Miscarriage rate (MR) - 5.3% Vs 11% (RR1.6333, CI 0.5227 to 5.1039) Multiple Pregnancy rate (MPR) - 8% Vs 4% Live birth Rate (LBR) per Intention to treat (ITT) - 41.3% Vs 44% (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.26) LBR per ET cycle - 63% Vs 56% (RR 1.23, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.94) Our preliminary results suggest that despite greater availability of blastocysts for transfer in the TESA group, no difference in ART outcomes was observed between the groups. Though the IR was statistically low with TESA, our primary outcomes LBR and MR were comparable. TESA or MACS seem to offer similar outcomes. Considering the invasiveness with TESA, MACS can be offered for better sperm selection for couples with raised sperm DFI & failed implantation. Limitations, reasons for caution Small sample size. TESA is a surgical intervention Wider implications of the findings Optimal intervention for management of SDF still needs further research. Trial registration number CTRI/2019/07/020140


Zygote ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 367-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Oger ◽  
Christelle Da Cruz ◽  
Gilles Panteix ◽  
Yves Menezo

In our work, we have used 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), one of the major oxidative products of sperm DNA, in a population of patients consulting for infertility. We found an inverse relationship between sperm concentration and the log of the ratio of 8-OH-dG to dG (P<0.01). On the same patients' sperm samples, the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) was performed. An inverse relationship was observed between the DNA fragmentation index and sperm concentration (P<0.001). There was also a positive relationship between SCSA and log 8-OH-dG/dG. This indicates that DNA fragmentation measured by the SCSA originates in part from oxidative products. In a few patients, antioxidant treatment decreased the DNA fragmentation index below the threshold of 30% that is crucial for subfertility.


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