Assessment of sperm DNA in patients submitted the assisted reproduction technology procedures

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to produce data on sperm quality while maintaining the integrity of sperm DNA samples taken from patients submitted to in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures at our center, and determine whether increased levels of histones were associated with sperm DNA damage and decreased fertilization, cleavage, and pregnancy rates. Such findings might shed light on the physiology and outcomes of pregnancy. Methods: Semen samples from 27 patients divided into two groups were analyzed. The case group included individuals offered IVF; the control group had subjects with normal spermograms. Sperm DNA structure was assessed through phosphorylated histone H2AX analysis by flow cytometry. Results:The patients with altered sperm parameters had more histones in sperm chromatin than the individuals with normal sperm parameters. Conclusion: Results indicated that increased levels of histone in sperm chromatin do not affect embryo production, but affect the cleavage rate, embryo quality, and might thus reduce pregnancy rates. The integrity of the paternal genome is of paramount importance in the initiation and maintenance of a viable pregnancy in patients treated with assisted reproduction technology procedures. Further studies on sperm diagnostic tests at a nuclear level might improve the treatment offered to infertile couples.

An additional marker for sperm DNA quality evaluation in spermatozoa of male partners of couples undergoing assisted reproduction technique (IVF/ICSI): Protamine ratio

“…A number of methods used to quantify protamination and DNA packaging, DNA fragmentation, chromosome aneuploidy and molecular karyotyping have been applied in the evaluation of male infertility problems (Ferlin & Foresta, ; Patassini et al, ; Tsuribe et al, ).…”

Effect of scrotal heating on sperm quality, seminal biochemical substances, and reproductive hormones in human fertile men

“…30,31,[38][39][40][41] The SCSA and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated d UDP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) directly measure the level of DNA damage in sperm, and can provide a threshold parameter concerning semen quality and predict assisted reproductive technology success. [42][43][44] Studies have shown that the higher rate of DNA damage by the TUNEL and sperm chromatin dispersion test in sperm is associated with lower fertility rate. 31,[38][39][40]44 On the other hand, Stahl et al 45 reported the SCSA DFI was moderately negatively correlated with sperm concentration and motility, but the TUNEL results were unrelated to standard semen parameters.…”

Paternal factors contributing to embryo quality

“…When sperm with altered HPR values is utilized in an ART procedure, it could result in desynchronized paternal genomic expression that alters embryo development until the blastocyst stage. Increased levels of histone in sperm chromatin have been shown to adversely affect the cleavage rate [p = 0.05] and embryo quality [p = 0.01] but not affect embryo production [68]. The histone content in sperm is related to its epigenetic modifications, and variations in the quantity of histones could disturb embryo development [67].…”