Influence of sperm chromatin anomalies on assisted reproductive technology outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of DNA fragmentation, DNA methylation, and protamine deficiency as indicators of chromatin status on assisted reproductive technology outcome, and also to assess the relation between these parameters.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Royan Institute and Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center.


METHODS
Semen samples from 92 infertile couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and IVF were assessed during this study.


METHODS
Semen analysis was carried out according to World Health Organization criteria. Protamine deficiency, DNA methylation, and DNA fragmentation were assessed by chromomycin A3 (CMA3), immunostaining, and sperm chromatin dispersion, respectively.


METHODS
Chromomycin A3 positivity, DNA methylation, DNA fragmentation and assisted reproductive technology outcome.


RESULTS
Chromomycin A3 positivity shows a significant correlation with DNA fragmentation and fertilization rate. Furthermore, unlike in IVF patients, DNA fragmentation showed a significant negative correlation with fertilization rate in ICSI. A significant negative correlation was observed between DNA methylation and DNA fragmentation. In addition, no correlation was found between fertilization rate and DNA methylation in both IVF and ICSI patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The results reveal that in ICSI procedure DNA fragmentation, and CMA3 positivity affect the fertilization rate, whereas none of these parameters affect postfertilization development. Furthermore, both CMA3 positivity and DNA methylation affect DNA fragmentation, independently of each other. Thus, it can be concluded that these parameters may play an early role in initiation of development.
Tavalaee
Marzeyeh
M
Department of Embryology and Andrology, Royan Institute, Tehran, Iran.
Razavi
Shahnaz
S
Nasr-Esfahani
Mohammad H
MH
D000328:Adult; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D014128:Chromomycin A3; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D019175:DNA Methylation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002843:Chromatin; D014128:Chromomycin A3