title: Sperm DNA fragmentation, recurrent implantation failure and recurrent miscarriage.
abstract: Evidence is increasing that the integrity of sperm DNA may also be related to implantation failure and recurrent miscarriage (RM). To investigate this, the sperm DNA fragmentation in partners of 35 women with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) following in vitro fertilization, 16 women diagnosed with RM and seven recent fathers (control) were examined. Sperm were examined pre- and post-density centrifugation by the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. There were no significant differences in the age of either partner or sperm concentration, motility or morphology between three groups. Moreover, there were no obvious differences in sperm DNA fragmentation measured by either test. However, whilst on average sperm DNA fragmentation in all groups was statistically lower in prepared sperm when measured by the SCD test, this was not seen with the results from the TUNEL assay. These results do not support the hypothesis that sperm DNA fragmentation is an important cause of RIF or RM, or that sperm DNA integrity testing has value in such patients. It also highlights significant differences between test methodologies and sperm preparation methods in interpreting the data from sperm DNA fragmentation tests.
authors: Carol
authors: C
authors: Coughlan
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Clarke
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Cutting
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Saxton
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Waite
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Ledger
authors: Tinchiu
authors: T
authors: Li
authors: Department of Human Metabolism, Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Sheffield, Level 4, The Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk, Sheffield, S10 2SF, United Kingdom.
authors: Allan A
authors: AA
authors: Pacey
mesh_terms: D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin