Potential adverse effect of sperm DNA damage on embryo quality after ICSI.
BACKGROUND
Sperm DNA damage is prevalent amongst infertile men and has been shown to strongly impact adversely natural reproduction, intrauterine insemination-assisted reproduction and to a lesser degree IVF/ICSI fertilization. The objective of this study was to examine further the relationship between sperm DNA denaturation (DD) and reproductive outcomes after ICSI.


METHODS
We evaluated infertile couples (n = 60) undergoing IVF/ICSI at a single centre. Sperm DD was assessed by flow cytometry analysis of Acridine Orange-treated sperm and expressed as the percentage of sperm with DD. Couples were sub-grouped according to sperm DD results: group 1: 0-15%; group 2: >15-30%; group 3: >30%.


RESULTS
There were no differences between the three groups with regard to maternal age, sperm parameters, oocyte maturation, fertilization or pregnancy rates. Group 3 had a significantly higher rate of multinucleation among the embryo cohorts compared to either groups 1 or 2 (20% versus 10% and 8% respectively, P = 0.04). There was a statistically insignificant trend toward an increased spontaneous pregnancy loss rate in group 3 (P =0.50).


CONCLUSIONS
Although we did not observe significant relationships between sperm DNA damage and either fertilization or pregnancy rates, the potential adverse effect of sperm DNA damage on embryo quality and spontaneous pregnancy loss is concerning.
Zini
Armand
A
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. armand.zini@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Meriano
James
J
Kader
Karim
K
Jarvi
Keith
K
Laskin
Carl A
CA
Cadesky
Kenneth
K
D000165:Acridine Orange / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004249:DNA Damage; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D004247:DNA; D000165:Acridine Orange