ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the associations between sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and embryo formation rate in normal responder women to in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-three consecutive, fresh IVF/ICSI cycles performed from 2014 to 2017 were selected. All women were normal responders (4 to 14 mature oocytes were retrieved) and at least one normally fertilized oocyte with two pronuclei was obtained in all cycles. Semen was collected on the day of oocyte retrieval, and SDF levels were measured by sperm chromatin dispersion test (Halosperm assay). At day 3 after insemination, embryo quality was evaluated by morphologic criteria and categorized as A/B/C/D. Top quality embryo were defined as grade A embryos with seven cells or more. RESULTS: SDF levels showed a positive linear correlation with the male's age (r=0.307, p=0.025) and a negative linear correlation with sperm motility (r=−0.491, p70%, the cut-off value SDF was <30.7% for each. Among individuals with SDF <30.7%, the median top-quality or grade A embryo formation rate was significantly higher than that among individuals with SDF ≥30.7% (38.1% vs. 20.0%, p=0.038; 50% vs. 25.0%, p=0.017). CONCLUSION: In normal responder women, high SDF level resulted in low day 3 embryo formation rates. Our results suggest a paternal effect on embryo quality in IVF/ICSI cycles.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Chromatin , DNA Fragmentation , DNA , Embryonic Structures , Fertilization in Vitro , In Vitro Techniques , Insemination , Oocyte Retrieval , Oocytes , Semen , Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic , Sperm Motility , SpermatozoaABSTRACT
Objective@#Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) is widely used to predict male infertility and the methods of detecting SDF are varied. This study aimed to compare two methods of SDF detection and investigate the correlation between SDF and sperm quality.@*METHODS@#Using sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and sperm chromatin dispersion test (SCD), we detected SDF in 108 semen samples collected in the Center of Reproduction and Genetics of Suzhou Municipal Hospital. We compared the results of the two methods and analyzed the correlations of SDF routine semen parameters, sperm morphology and the age of the patients.@*RESULTS@#A significant consistency was found in the SDF index (DFI) between the two methods (P<0.01). The DFI was correlated negatively with sperm motility, the percentage of progressively motile sperm, and that of morphologically normal sperm (P <0.01), but positively with the teratozoospermia index (P <0.01 in SCSA and P <0.05 in SCD). The DFI measured by SCSA showed a significantly positive correlation with the patients' age (P <0.01), but not that obtained by SCD.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results of both SCSA and SCD play an important role in predicting sperm quality. As a clinical index, the DFI has a predictive value for male infertility. However, the results of different detecting methods vary widely, which calls for further studies on their standardization.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Chromatin , Genetics , Physiology , DNA Fragmentation , Infertility, Male , Diagnosis , Semen , Physiology , Semen Analysis , Sperm Motility , Spermatozoa , PhysiologyABSTRACT
Objective To assess sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and sperm chromatin dispersion test (SCD) for DNA fragmentation evaluation in human infertility, and the correlation between these two methods. Methods We used SCSA and SCD assays to detect DNA fragmentation in sperm from 134 infertile men. The correlation of SCSA and SCD assays was analyzed. The sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was divided into 3 groups (≤15%DFI, >15~≤30%DFI and>30%DFI), and the difference between SCSA and SCD assays was assessed. Results The SCSA assay was strongly correlated with the SCD assay for sperm DNA fragmentation (r=0.915, P15~ ≤30%DFI and>30%DFI groups. However, SCD showed higher levels of DNA fragmentation than that measured by SCSA for≤15%DFI group (13.50 4.82 vs 9.79 2.60, P<0.001). Conclusion There is a strong positive correlation between SCSA and SCD assays in detection of DNA fragmentation. SCD assay showed higher levels of DNA fragmentation than that measured by SCSA for≤15%DFI group.