Sperm DNA Integrity in Men Treated for Childhood Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: It is not known whether childhood cancer and its treatment are associated with sperm DNA damage, which subsequently affects fertility and might be transmitted to the offspring. The aim of this study is to assess DNA fragmentation index (DFI) as an indicator of sperm DNA integrity in childhood cancer survivors (CCS), with treatment regimen taken into account.Experimental Design: In 99 CCS and 193 age-matched healthy controls, DFI was assessed by using sperm chromatin structure assay.Results: In the whole group of CCS, DFI was increased compared with the controls, with borderline statistical significance [mean difference, 1.8%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), −0.0088%-3.7%]. Those treated with radiotherapy only (mean difference, 6.0%; 95% CI, 1.6-10%) or surgery only (mean difference, 2.9%; 95% CI, 0.083-5.8%) had statistically significantly higher DFI than the controls. The odds ratio (OR) for having DFI >20%, which is associated with reduced fertility, was significantly increased in CCS compared with the control group (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1

A paternal environmental legacy: Evidence for epigenetic inheritance through the male germ line

“…Men who received radiation treatment for childhood cancers have an elevated sperm DNA fragmentation index, and are at increased risk of having fertility problems when compared to controls [65]. Transgenerational effects from paternal exposure to radiation through occupation, airport scans, medical treatment and diagnosis, and other man-made sources of radiation presently remain mostly unknown.…”

Environmental and lifestyle factors associated with sperm DNA damage

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] and that this was independent of the dose of scattered radiation to the testicle. At first glance, this result may appear to contradict the observations of Ståhl et al (2006) mentioned above, although the data of Romerius et al (2010) suggest that sperm DNA impairment may be associated with the disease per se rather than the treatment given.…”

“…This is important because testicular cancer generally affects younger men who may not have completed their families prior to cancer treatment (Pacey, 2007). More recently, Romerius et al, (2010) investigated long-term effects on sperm DNA integrity in men who had been treated for childhood cancer. Comparing 99 childhood cancer survivors with 193 age-matched healthy controls, using the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay, it was found that for those previously treated with radiotherapy in childhood the odds ratio of having high levels of DNA fragmentation (defined as 420%) was 4.9 (95% CI ¼ 1.…”

Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Its Role in Wildlife Conservation

“…For example, in testicular cancer, the level of DNA damage is very high (Meseguer et al 2008 ;Romerius et al 2010 ). In these cases, assessment of the level of SDF can provide valuable information about the potential use of cryopreserved sperm samples prior to chemo-or radio-therapy, so that sperm samples from these patients can be cryopreserved for use post-treatment.…”