Sperm DNA content: An overall correlation study with sperm count, motility and morphology

ABSTRACT

To determine the DNA content in sub fertile patients and correlate it with seminal sperm parameters, [count, motility and morphology]. Prospective observational study. College of Medicine, Department of physiological chemistry and Institute for Embryo research and Infertility treatment, University of Baghdad. A random sample of 58 sub fertile male patients undergoing semen evaluation and their age ranged from 20-45 years were studied. Semen samples were assessed for seminal sperms [count, motility and morphology] by direct light microscopy. Sperm DNA content was estimated using a microchemical spectrophotometric method The data were categorized into four groups according to normal and abnormal sperms count [million/ ml], percent motility and percent morphology. The normal limits of those sperm function parameters were according to WHO criteria. The four groups were named as Normozoospermic [NZS] [control] Normoasthenozoospermic [NAZS], NormoasthenoterafozooSpermic [NATZS] and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic [OATZS] groups. The Mean +/- SD of the four groups were of significant difference [P < 0.05] with respect to sperm count, sperm percent motility and morphology with exceptions of certain groups. Moreover, a non significant difference [P > 0.05] was found with respect to DNA content [pg/ml] and [pg/sperm] except for Gr. IV which showed a significant difference when compared to others. The correlation coefficients [r values] between sperm count and sperms motility, morphology and DNA content [pg/ml] were non significant in the four groups. Noticeably, the DNA content [pg/sperm] was statistically of significant [P < 0.05] negative correlation with sperm count in all groups. All groups were of significant difference [P < 0.05] among their Mean +/- SD values of their count, motility and morphology. There were few exceptions. No significant differences [P > 0.05] were found with respect to DNA content [pg/ml or pg/sperm] except for oligoasthenoteratozoospermic group compared to others. No significant correlation was found between sperm count and each of sperms motility, morphology and DNA content [pg/ml] in the four groups However, the DNA content [pg/sperm] had a statistically significant [P < 0.05] negative correlation with sperm count in all groups