Effects of the sperm DNA fragmentation index on the clinical and neonatal outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles

Abstract

Background: Most studies have mainly focused on the effects of the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) on fertilization, embryonic developmental potential and aneuploidy, pregnancy and abortion rates after in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and have remained controversial. However, few studies have reported the effects of sperm DFI on neonatal outcomes, including stillbirths, neonatal deaths, sex, gestational age, prematurity, birthweight, low birth weight (LBW) and birth defects in newborns. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of sperm DFI on the clinical and neonatal outcomes of ICSI cycles. Methods: This retrospective study analysed a total of 2067 oocyte retrieval, 1139 transfer and 713 delivery cycles from conventional ICSI cycles, including 301, 469, and 214 live-born infants in groups segregated according to sperm DFI as the < 15%, 15-30% and > 30% groups, respectively. The clinical and neonatal outcomes were compared among the three groups. Results: Sperm DFI did not significantly affect the rates of fertilization, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage or ongoing pregnancy. Sperm DFI did not increase the risk of stillbirths or neonatal deaths. The rates of stillbirths and neonatal deaths were not significantly different among the three groups. The sex, gestational age, prematurity, birthweight and LBW of newborns in the three groups were not significantly affected by sperm DFI. Moreover, sperm DFI did not increase the number of birth defects in children. Conclusions: Sperm DFI did not affect the clinical or neonatal outcomes of ICSI cycles.

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

“…(3) FSH < 10.00 IU/L was detected in the outpatient department of our hospital for the first time. The cause of infertility was only the fallopian tube and the number of eggs obtained was ≥ 5 14 . (4) Both couples received IVF-ET or ICSI for the first time.…”

A dietary score representing the overall relation of men’s diet with semen quality in relation to outcomes of infertility treatment with assisted reproduction

“…Therefore, it is unclear whether findings from this study can be generalized to couples trying to conceive without ART. Moreover, our findings further highlight that bulk semen parameters are far from perfect biomarkers of men’s reproductive potential ( 4 , 5 ), and it is, thus, important to examine whether other characteristics of sperm such as deoxyribonucleic acid integrity ( 47 , 48 , 49 ), ribonucleic acid elements ( 50 ), proteomics ( 51 , 52 ), or others yet to be identified are better able to capture how men’s environment and behavior influence a couple’s fertility in the general population and in the setting of infertility treatment. Second, we need to consider misclassification and measurement error in diet, which is a concern even when using extensively validated questionnaires.…”

Magnetic-Activated Cell Sorting as a Method to Improve Necrozoospermia-Related Asthenozoospermic Samples

“…Due to this, the results of DF tests and the outcomes of IVF/ICSI cycles cannot clearly determine the effect of fragmentation on clinical pregnancy, miscarriage or live birth rates; both neutral and negative effects can be found. To date, the effect is unclear; several meta-analyses are needed [ 14 ].…”