title: Sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation assessment in normozoospermic male partners of couples with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether sperm DNA integrity in normozoospermic male partners plays a role in idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic tertiary care center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Group I: 26 male partners of women with unexplained RPL. Group II: 31 normozoospermic males with proven fertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semen samples were collected by masturbation after 48-72 hours of abstinence. After liquefaction at room temperature, semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization standards. Only samples with >20 × 10(6) spermatozoa/mL with at least 50% progressive sperm motility and 30 % normal morphology were selected for the study. DNA fragmentation of the sperm was assessed with TUNEL assay followed by flow cytometric analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sperm DNA fragmentation in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean DNA fragmentation (mean ± SD) was significantly more in men with RPL (36.8 ± 5) compared with controls (9.4 ± 2.7).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sperm DNA fragmentation may play a role in unexplained RPL despite normal semen analysis parameters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Loma Linda University Health Care, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California; University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas. Electronic address: gbareh@llu.edu.
authors.forename: Gihan M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Bareh
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Ethan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jacoby
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Binkley
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Tien-Cheng Arthur
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Schenken
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Randal D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Sperm DNA; TUNEL assay; recurrent pregnancy loss; unexplained infertility