title: Semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation as causes of recurrent pregnancy loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and compare standard sperm parameters, and sperm DNA fragmentation in seminal ejaculates from men whose partners had a history of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and in a control group of men who had recently established their fertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semen samples from 31 patients with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss and 20 men with proven fertility were analyzed according to World Health Organization guidelines. Sperm DNA fragmentation was detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When sperm quality of the control group was compared with that of the RPL group, a significant difference was observed in sperm motility, but not in other parameters. The mean number of sperm cells with fragmented DNA was significantly increased in the RPL group (32.22 ± 6.14%) compared with control donors (10.20 ± 2.1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data indicate that sperm from men with a history of RPL have a higher incidence of DNA damage and poor motility than sperm from a control group, and this can explain in part the pregnancy loss in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytogenetic and Reproductive Biology, Farhat Hached, University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia. brahemsonia@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brahem
authors.forename: Meriem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mehdi
authors.forename: Hanène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Landolsi
authors.forename: Soumaya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mougou
authors.forename: Hatem
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Elghezal
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saad
mesh_terms: D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007621:Karyotyping; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012008:Recurrence; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology*