Sperm DNA Integrity Test and Assisted Reproductive Technology (Art) Outcome

SummaryThe objective of the study was to investigate the influence of sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) by DNA integrity test on pregnancy outcome and pregnancy loss after assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedure: autologous intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), donation eggs ICSI, and intrauterine insemination (IUI). We investigated men from 531 couples undergoing autologous ICSI procedure (n=416), from couples undergoing donation eggs procedure (n=39) and IUI (n=76). We performed the following interventions: semen analysis, DNA integrity test, embryo scoring by Gardner and Schoolcraft grading system (1999). The study showed no statistically significant differences between the group regarding pregnancy rate (χ2=0.55; p>0.05; OR=1.25, 95% Cl 1.23-1.46; p>0.05). However, with increased levels of DFI, the number of pregnancy losses became higher (including biochemical pregnancies and spontaneous abortions) at OR=5.65 (95% Cl 4.32-7.11; p=0.05). We examined the percentage of grade I blastocysts (by Gardner and Schoolcraft, 1999) before donation eggs embryo transfer and found a statistically significant correlation with both the DFI (χ2=7.80; p<0.05) and sperm morphology (χ2=6.14; p<0.05). Analysis of the relationship between DFI and IUI output (clinical pregnancy, miscarriage) revealed significant correlations in both directions: between DFI and pregnancy rate after IUI (χ2=6.29; p<0.05) and between the DFI and pregnancy development after IUI (χ2=6.87; p<0.05). The three group categories (autologous, heterologous ICSI procedures and IUI) studied showed that sperm samples with DFI>27% were associated with increased riskofearlypregnancyloss. Men with infertility should undergo DNA fragmentation assay in addition to the standard semen analysis. When DFI exceeds 27%, ICSI should be a method of choice, even in cases where the conventional parameters of semen analysis tests are normal.

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Importance of a semen analysis report for determining the relationship between SCSA sperm DNA fragmentation index and assisted reproductive technology pregnancy rate

Reproductive Biology ◽

10.1016/j.repbio.2019.09.002 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 460-464

Author(s):

Hongbo Cheng ◽

Mutian Han ◽

Jie Ding ◽

Fuxin Wang ◽

Gaigai Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnancy Rate ◽

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Reproductive Technology ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Fragmentation Index ◽

Sperm Dna ◽

The Relationship ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation Index ◽

Dna Fragmentation Index

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Further evidence supports the clinical utility of sperm DNA fragmentation testing in male infertility workup and assisted reproductive technology

Translational Andrology and Urology ◽

10.21037/tau.2017.06.20 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (S4) ◽

pp. S428-S436 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sandro C. Esteves ◽

Ahmad Majzoub ◽

Ashok Agarwal

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Assisted Reproductive Technology ◽

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Clinical Utility ◽

Reproductive Technology ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Sperm Dna

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Sperm DNA fragmentation: causes and identification

Zygote ◽

10.1017/s0967199419000595 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Thais Rose dos Santos Hamilton ◽

Mayra Elena Ortiz D’Ávila Assumpção

Keyword(s):

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Sperm Chromatin ◽

Dna Integrity ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Functional Capability ◽

Sperm Dna Integrity ◽

Sperm Dna ◽

Fertility Disorders ◽

Chromatin Integrity

SummarySperm DNA fragmentation is referred to as one of the main causes of male infertility. Failures in the protamination process, apoptosis and action of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered the most important causes of DNA fragmentation. Action of ROS or changes in sperm protamination would increase the susceptibility of sperm DNA to fragmentation. Routine semen analysis is unable to estimate sperm chromatin damage. Sperm DNA integrity influences sperm functional capability, therefore tests that measure sperm DNA fragmentation are important to assess fertility disorders. Actually, there is a considerable number of methods for assessing sperm DNA fragmentation and chromatin integrity, sperm chromatin stability assay (SCSA modified), sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD), comet assay, transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL); and protamine evaluation in sperm chromatin assay, such as toluidine blue, CMA3, protamine expression and evaluation of cysteine radicals. This review aims to describe the main causes of sperm DNA fragmentation and the tests commonly used to evaluate sperm DNA fragmentation.

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The effect of sperm DNA fragmentation index on assisted reproductive technology outcomes and its relationship with semen parameters and lifestyle

Translational Andrology and Urology ◽

10.21037/tau.2019.06.22 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 356-365 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Hongyi Yang ◽

Gang Li ◽

Haixia Jin ◽

Yihong Guo ◽

Yingpu Sun

Keyword(s):

Assisted Reproductive Technology ◽

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Reproductive Technology ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Fragmentation Index ◽

Sperm Dna ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation Index ◽

Dna Fragmentation Index

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The association of sperm DNA fragmentation with embryological characteristics and effectiveness of assisted reproductive technology programs

Akusherstvo i ginekologiia ◽

10.18565/aig.2017.6.91-8 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6_2017 ◽

pp. 91-98

Author(s):

Dudarova A.Kh. Dudarova ◽

Smolnikova V.Yu. Smolnikova ◽

Makarova N.P. Makarova ◽

Zobova A.V. Zobova A ◽

Gorshinova V.K. Gorshinova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Assisted Reproductive Technology ◽

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Reproductive Technology ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Sperm Dna ◽

Technology Programs

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Relationships between sperm DNA integrity and bulk semen parameters in Bulgarian patients with varicocele

Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia ◽

10.4081/aiua.2019.2.125 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 91 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Viktor Alargkof ◽

Larissa Kersten ◽

Romil Stanislavov ◽

Zdravko Kamenov ◽

Panagiotis Nikolinakos

Keyword(s):

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Human Reproduction ◽

Sperm Parameters ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Control Group ◽

Dna Integrity ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Abnormal Sperm ◽

Sperm Dna

Objective: This exploratory retrospective study aimed to compare the level of Sperm DNA Fragmentation (SDF) and investigate its association with bulk semen parameters, for the first time in Bulgarian patients with varicocele, using a distinct methodology. Material and methods: Standard semen analysis was performed according to the 2010 criteria of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology - Nordic Association for Andrology (ESHRE-NAFA-2010) and DNA fragmentation was assessed using the Halosperm® kit. The total sample included 28 males: the control group consisted of men with normal genital examination and unknown fertility (n = 10), group one consisted of men with varicocele, normozoospermia and DNA fragmentation > 15% (n = 9) and group two consisted of men with varicocele, abnormal sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation > 15% (n = 9). Results: DNA fragmentation was found to be higher in patients with abnormal sperm parameters (43.78 ± 30.78) compared to the normozoospermic group (21.22 ± 3.93) (p = 0.008). In normozoospermic patients, no statistically significant correlations were observed between SDF and bulk semen parameters. In patients with abnormal sperm parameters, DNA fragmentation exhibited significant very strong negative association with motility (a+b), vitality and typical morphology (p < 0.001). Conclusions: DNA integrity assays could be used for a better evaluation and management of male infertility, particularly in normozoospermic varicocele patients.

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DNA Fragmentation in Human Spermatozoa and Pregnancy Rates after Intrauterine Insemination. Should the DFI Threshold Be Lowered?

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10061310 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1310

Author(s):

Anne Sofie Rex ◽

Chunsen Wu ◽

Jørn Aagaard ◽

Jens Fedder

Keyword(s):

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Intrauterine Insemination ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Live Birth Rate ◽

Fertility Treatment ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Flow Cytometric ◽

Fragmentation Index ◽

Sperm Dna ◽

Significant Difference

Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) can be analyzed by a flow cytometric assay after treatment with acid and acridine orange. In this prospective, cohort study, the value of DFI was determined in a semen analysis collected before fertility treatment (baselineDFI) in 146 couples and during 1–3 intrauterine inseminations (IUI) in 211 couples (511 cycles). The pregnancy rate (PR)/cycle was 9.9% if baselineDFI was >10 and 21.7% if baselineDFI was ≤10, (p < 0.005). The live birth rate (LBR)/cycle was 5% if baselineDFI was >10 and 14.2% if baselineDFI was ≤10 (p < 0.005). PR/patient was 23.1% if baselineDFI was >10 and 45.5% if baselineDFI was ≤10 (p < 0.005). LBR/patient was 12.4% if baselineDFI was >10 and 34% if baselineDFI was ≤10 (p < 0.005). When isolating non-stimulated IUI cycles and couples with female age < 35, a significant difference in PR and LBR between couples with high DFI and low DFI was seen. Results suggest that DFI > 10 could advice against timed coitus and non-stimulated IUI cycles. Analysis for DFI performed before treatment provides information about PR and LBR after IUI.

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