The significance of sperm DNA oxidation in embryo development and reproductive outcome in an oocyte donation program: a new model to study a male infertility prognostic factor.
OBJECTIVE
One byproduct resulting from free radical damage is the DNA hydroxylation also known as DNA oxidation. Our aim with this work was to determine the relevance of sperm DNA oxidation on embryo quality in oocyte donation cycles.


METHODS
We prospectively studied pairs of oocyte donation cycles, i.e., the same oocyte donors, donating to two recipients, where the only difference between the two treatments was the use of a different sperm sample.


METHODS
University-affiliated private IVF setting.


METHODS
Infertile male partners from couples undergoing oocyte donation cycles (n = 38): 76 semen aliquots analyzed before and after semen processing by swim up.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
We measured sperm DNA oxidation by flow cytometry using the OxiDNA assay and correlated it with embryo quality parameters, implantation, and pregnancy outcome.


RESULTS
A positive correlation was seen between embryo fragmentation and DNA oxidation of capacitated samples at 48 hours and 72 hours after fertilization. However, when we analyzed the differences in the IVF outcome parameters of the couples who shared the oocyte cohort (same donor) with the differences in the OxiDNA values, we observed increased and further relationships with cell embryo division 48 hours after fertilization. A negative association with blastocyst formation was also detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Oxidative damage in the DNA is clearly increased in samples with lower sperm motility. An association between early and late embryo quality and sperm DNA oxidation supports the relevance of the hydroxylation of 8-oxoguanine as a biomarker of sperm quality reflecting the free radical damage in human sperm.
Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad Valencia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Fundación IVI, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: marcos.meseguer@ivi.es.
Marcos
M
Meseguer
Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad Valencia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Fundación IVI, Valencia, Spain.
J A
JA
Martínez-Conejero
Unidad de Citómica, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain.
J Enrique
JE
O'Connor
Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad Valencia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Fundación IVI, Valencia, Spain.
Antonio
A
Pellicer
Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad Valencia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Fundación IVI, Valencia, Spain.
José
J
Remohí
Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad Valencia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Fundación IVI, Valencia, Spain.
Nicolás
N
Garrido
D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D003849:Deoxyguanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018587:Oocyte Donation; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D004247:DNA; D003849:Deoxyguanosine