Correlation between sperm DNA fragmentation index and semen parameters in 418 men seen at a fertility center

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in 418 men who attended a fertility center. Methods: This retrospective study includes 418 male patients seen at In Vitro Gestar, Chiclayo -Perú between October 2013 and March 2020. DFI was determined between normozoospermic patients (NORMO) and patients with one altered parameter (ALTERED). The patients were classified as oligozoospermic [Severe/Moderate oligozoospermia (OLIGO SM): <5x106 sperm/mL and Mild oligozoospermia (OLIGO M): 5 to <15x106 sperm/mL], asthenozoospermic [Severe asthenozoospermia (ASTHENO S): <10% PM (progressive motility); Moderate asthenozoospermia (ASTHENO MO): 10 to <20% PM; Mild asthenozoospermia (ASTHENO M): 20 to <32% PM)], teratozoospermic (TERATO) and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT). DFI was determined between these groups and NORMO. The data was analyzed using the SPSS 22.0 software for Windows. Results: Normozoospermic patients presented lower significant levels of DFI compared with all groups. NORMO (15.64±7.65) vs [ALTERED (18.41±9.43, p=0.003); OLIGO SM (26.38±12.94, p<0.005); ASTHENO S (23.09±11.45, p<0.01); TERATO (17.96±9.23, p<0.05) and OAT (22.05±12.15, p=0.001)]. We determined a significant negative correlation between DFI and progressive motility (r= -0.162 p=0.001), and those with normal morphology (r= -0.100 p=0.040). Likewise the DFI shows a significant positive correlation with age (r= 0.257 p=0.000).Conclusions: Our study establishes that high DFI is accompanied by a significant impairment in all seminal parameters.

Correlation analysis of sperm DNA fragmentation index with semen parameters and the effect of sperm DFI on outcomes of ART

“…Damage to sperm chromatin can directly affect normal physiological functions and also leads to the transmission of incorrect genetic information to the offspring. Sperm DFI is a parameter that assesses male fertility 8 , 9 . Nowadays, sperm DFI has become an adjunct test for standard semen analysis.…”

Controversy and Consensus on the Management of Elevated Sperm DNA Fragmentation in Male Infertility: A Global Survey, Current Guidelines, and Expert Recommendations

“…The advantages and disadvantages of the various sperm selection techniques are presented in Table 5 [ 112 114 115 116 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 ]. However, it should be underlined that the randomized clinical trials conducted to report on the effectiveness of these techniques did not focus strictly on men with elevated SDF, thus robust evidence is lacking on the effect of advanced sperm selection on this specific group of patients.…”

The Impact of Origanum vulgare Supplementation on Human Asthenozoospermic Sperm Parameter Quality

“…However, assessing the effect of oregano oil supplementation on DNA integrity at 60 min incubation at 37°C under 5% CO 2 did not produce a significant difference in DFI values. According to several studies, a high level of sperm fragmentation, as evidenced by the TUNEL test, appears to be associated with low fertility rates and a significantly lower pregnancy rate following IVF [ 18 , 19 ]. Damage to sperm DNA can be caused by a number of conditions, including recombination deficiencies, aborted apoptosis, and oxidative stress with reactive oxygen species production (ROS) [ 15 , 19 ].…”

“…According to several studies, a high level of sperm fragmentation, as evidenced by the TUNEL test, appears to be associated with low fertility rates and a significantly lower pregnancy rate following IVF [ 18 , 19 ]. Damage to sperm DNA can be caused by a number of conditions, including recombination deficiencies, aborted apoptosis, and oxidative stress with reactive oxygen species production (ROS) [ 15 , 19 ]. The integrity of the sperm DNA and especially its mobility is an essential component of male fertility as it allows sperm to move efficiently across the female reproductive system to reach and fertilize the egg [ 20 ].…”