title: Sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation as assessed by the sperm chromatin dispersion test in assisted reproductive technology programs: results of a large prospective multicenter study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the value of sperm DNA fragmentation, measured by the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, in predicting fertilization rate, embryo quality, and pregnancy outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four French infertility centers, from January to August 2005.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six hundred twenty-two couples participating in their first IVF or ICSI program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of DNA fragmentation by the sperm chromatin dispersion test in sperm samples used for IVF or ICSI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Correlations and associations between sperm parameters, sperm DNA integrity, and pregnancy outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant correlation was observed between sperm DNA fragmentation rate and the following sperm characteristics: sperm motility, morphology, and concentration. We found a statistically significant relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation rate and fertilization rate, and we were able to suggest a threshold sperm DNA fragmentation rate of 18%, above which fragmentation rate was predictive of fertilization rate. Regarding embryo quality, we observed a relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation and embryo quality. No significant relationship was found between sperm DNA fragmentation rate and clinical pregnancies or births.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study confirm the utility of the sperm chromatin dispersion test for assessment of DNA fragmentation.
authors.affiliation: Unité In Vitro Fertilization, Clinique Pasteur Saint-Esprit, Brest, France.
authors.forename: Juan Felipe
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Velez de la Calle
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walschaerts
authors.forename: Jean Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Clavere
authors.forename: Clément
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jimenez
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wittemer
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thonneau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D048430:Cell Shape; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D013076:Sperm Count; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology*