title: Sperm DNA fragmentation in men with malignancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if men with malignancy have increased sperm DNA fragmentation compared with men presenting for sperm donation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary-level fertility center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-nine men with cancer presenting for prophylactic semen cryopreservation and 35 men presenting for sperm donation.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) measured by sperm chromatin assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean sperm DFI in men with a diagnosis of cancer, 9.88% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.84%-12.44%), did not differ from that found in men presenting for sperm donation 10.46% (95% CI 8.68%-11.80%). There were no significant differences in mean sperm DFI within cancer subgroups or when comparing testicular and nontesticular cancers. Subgroup analysis lacked statistical power. Men with testicular cancer have significantly reduced sperm concentration compared with both control subjects and men with nontesticular cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our study population there was no difference in sperm DFI between men undergoing prophylactic semen cryopreservation and men presenting for sperm donation. Sperm DFI assessment has limited utility in the routine evaluation of men presenting for semen cryopreservation.
authors.affiliation: Queensland Fertility Group Research Foundation, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. simon.mcdowell@hotmail.co.uk
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McDowell
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kroon
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: Anusch
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yazdani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015925:Cryopreservation; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005298:Fertility; D059247:Fertility Preservation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012662:Semen Preservation; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology*; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D014019:Tissue Donors