Effect of cryopreservation on sperm DNA integrity in patients with teratospermia.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether sperm with abnormal head morphology are more likely to undergo DNA damage and/or chromatin modification during the process of freeze-thawing.


METHODS
In this prospective study, the semen samples from forty-four men attending the infertility clinic were included. Samples were divided into aliquots to allow direct comparison of fresh and frozen spermatozoa from the same ejaculate. The sperm morphology and the sperm DNA damage were evaluated before and after cryopreservation. The relationship between sperm head abnormalities and freeze-thaw-induced DNA modification was assessed.


METHODS
University hospital fertility center.


METHODS
Men attending infertility clinic for semen analysis.


METHODS
The normospermic and teratospermic semen samples were evaluated for DNA damage before and after cryopreservation by comet assay and acridine orange bindability test.


METHODS
Elucidation of association between sperm morphologic defect and cryodamage.


RESULTS
A threefold increase in the amount of DNA damage was observed in teratospermic samples compared with their normospermic counterparts, indicating a higher susceptibility of morphologically abnormal sperm to cryodamage.


CONCLUSIONS
The susceptibility of morphologically abnormal sperm to DNA damage/chromatin modification during the freeze-thaw process is significantly higher than that of sperm with normal morphology.
Kalthur
Guruprasad
G
Division of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
Adiga
Satish Kumar
SK
Upadhya
Dinesh
D
Rao
Satish
S
Kumar
Pratap
P
D020552:Comet Assay; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D004249:DNA Damage; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D013077:Sperm Head / Q000473:pathology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology*
D004247:DNA