title: Sperm DNA fragmentation negatively correlates with velocity and fertilization rates but might not affect pregnancy rates.
abstract: 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.
authors: Division of Infertility Clinic, Lee Womens' Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors: Chun-Chia
authors: CC
authors: Huang
authors: David Pei-Cheng
authors: DP
authors: Lin
authors: Hui-Mei
authors: HM
authors: Tsao
authors: Tzu-Chun
authors: TC
authors: Cheng
authors: Chung-Hsien
authors: CH
authors: Liu
authors: Maw-Sheng
authors: MS
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: 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