Semen DNA fragmentation index, evaluated with both TUNEL and Comet assay, and the ICSI outcome.
BACKGROUND
In intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), there is always a risk of using spermatozoa with damaged DNA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the percentage of spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation in processed semen samples used in ICSI cycles and to investigate the relationship between the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and the ICSI outcome.


METHODS
Fifty-six couples undergoing ICSI treatment were included. DFI was evaluated, by both terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUDP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) and single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assays, in the processed semen samples used for ICSI.


RESULTS
Of the processed semen samples 17.85% had > or =10% spermatozoa with fragmented DNA. There was no correlation between DFI and the ICSI outcome. DFI assessed by the TUNEL assay was negatively correlated with sperm concentration, progressive motility and sperm morphology.


CONCLUSIONS
A considerable proportion of processed semen samples used for ICSI have a high DFI. However, DFI of the processed semen samples does not seem to be related to the ICSI outcome.
Caglar
Gamze Sinem
GS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinic of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany.
Köster
Frank
F
Schöpper
Beate
B
Asimakopoulos
Byron
B
Nehls
Barbara
B
Nikolettos
Nikos
N
Diedrich
Klaus
K
Al-Hasani
Safaa
S
D000328:Adult; D020552:Comet Assay; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism*; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D016896:Treatment Outcome