Related Experiment Videos
Increased sperm nuclear DNA damage in normozoospermic infertile men: a prospective study
Ramadan A Saleh1, Ashok Agarwal, David R Nelson
1Center for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction, Infertility, and Sexual Function, Urological Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Fertility and Sterility
|July 26, 2002
Summary
Sperm DNA damage is elevated in infertile men, even with normal semen parameters. This suggests sperm DNA damage testing can identify hidden issues in cases of idiopathic male infertility.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Genetics
- Andrology
Background:
- Male infertility affects a significant portion of couples seeking reproductive assistance.
- Standard semen analysis, while informative, may not identify all causes of male infertility.
- Sperm nuclear DNA damage is increasingly recognized as a contributing factor to infertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sperm nuclear DNA damage levels in infertile men with both normal and abnormal standard semen parameters.
- To determine if elevated sperm DNA damage is present even when conventional semen analysis appears normal.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 92 men undergoing infertility treatment and 16 fertile volunteers.
- Standard semen analysis conducted per World Health Organization guidelines.
- Sperm DNA damage assessed using the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA), with results reported as %DFI (DNA Fragmentation Index).
Main Results:
- 23% of infertile men had normal standard semen parameters, while 77% had abnormalities.
- Infertile men with normal semen parameters showed significantly higher %DFI (median 23) compared to fertile donors (median 15, P=.02).
- No significant difference in %DFI was observed between infertile men with normal (median 23) and abnormal (median 28) semen parameters (P=.27).
Conclusions:
- A significant increase in SCSA-defined sperm DNA damage is evident in infertile men with normal standard semen parameters.
- Sperm DNA damage analysis can uncover subclinical abnormalities in men diagnosed with idiopathic infertility.
- This testing may offer a more comprehensive evaluation for male infertility beyond traditional semen parameters.