Fragmentation of DNA in morphologically normal human spermatozoa.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa with normal morphological appearance.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Academic tertiary center.


METHODS
Fertile, subfertile, and infertile men were studied.


METHODS
Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-fluorescein nick-end labeling assay and morphology assessment by phase contrast in the swim-up fractions.


METHODS
Simultaneous assessment of the percentage of normally shaped sperm and DNA fragmentation.


RESULTS
No DNA fragmentation was found in spermatozoa with normal morphology in any of the samples from the fertile group. In only one sample from the subfertile group did we observed normally shaped sperm cells exhibiting DNA fragmentation. However, in all the samples from the infertile group, we observed normal spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation. Spermatozoa from this late group exhibited a high proportion of DNA damage.


CONCLUSIONS
In infertile men with moderate and severe teratozoospermia, the spermatozoa with apparently normal morphology present in the motile fractions after swim-up may have DNA fragmentation.
Avendaño
Conrado
C
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia.
Franchi
Anahí
A
Taylor
Steven
S
Morshedi
Mahmood
M
Bocca
Silvina
S
Oehninger
Sergio
S
D048430:Cell Shape / Q000502:physiology; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology