Increased sperm nuclear DNA damage in normozoospermic infertile men: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate levels of sperm nuclear DNA damage in infertile men with normal and abnormal standard semen parameters.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Male infertility clinic.


METHODS
Ninety-two men seeking infertility treatment and 16 fertile volunteers.


METHODS
Standard semen analysis was performed according to the World Health Organization guidelines.


METHODS
Sperm DNA damage was assessed by sperm chromatin structure assay and the results expressed as %DFI.


RESULTS
Of the 92 patients, 21 (23%) had normal standard sperm parameters (concentration, motility, and normal sperm forms), while 71 (77%) had an abnormality in one or more of these parameters. The %DFI [median (25th and 75th percentiles)] in infertile men with normal sperm parameters [23 (15, 32)] was significantly higher than fertile donors [15 (11, 20)] (P=.02), but not significantly different from infertile men with abnormal sperm parameters [28 (18, 41)] (P=.27).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that a significant increase in SCSA-defined DNA damage can be found in sperm from infertile men with normal standard sperm parameters. Therefore, sperm DNA damage analysis may reveal a hidden abnormality of sperm DNA in infertile men classified as idiopathic based on apparently normal standard sperm parameters.
Center for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction, Infertility, and Sexual Function, Urological Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Ramadan A
RA
Saleh
Ashok
A
Agarwal
David R
DR
Nelson
Essam A
EA
Nada
Mohammed H
MH
El-Tonsy
Juan G
JG
Alvarez
Anthony J
AJ
Thomas
Rakesh K
RK
Sharma
D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry; D002843:Chromatin / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure
D002843:Chromatin