Sperm DNA fragmentation negatively correlates with velocity and fertilization rates but might not affect pregnancy rates.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate sperm DNA fragmentation in correlation with sperm parameters and IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes.


METHODS
Retrospective review.


METHODS
A tertiary infertility referral clinic.


METHODS
We collected 303 semen samples from patients undergoing IVF with or without ICSI.


METHODS
Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, measurement of fertilization rates, good embryo rates, and pregnancy rates for the IVF/ICSI program.


METHODS
The percentage of sperm with DNA fragmentation, correlated with semen analysis parameters and IVF/ICSI outcomes.


RESULTS
Sperm DNA fragmentation rates were significantly higher in patients with abnormal sperm parameters than in those with normal sperm parameters. When sperm DNA fragmentation was >10%, fertilization rates were affected. Sperm DNA fragmentation rates were negatively correlated with sperm velocity parameters but did not affect pregnancy outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated that sperm DNA fragmentation affects fertilization rates and sperm motility but might not affect pregnancy rates.
Huang
Chun-Chia
CC
Division of Infertility Clinic, Lee Womens' Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Lin
David Pei-Cheng
DP
Tsao
Hui-Mei
HM
Cheng
Tzu-Chun
TC
Liu
Chung-Hsien
CH
Lee
Maw-Sheng
MS
D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric