Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects
Published on: April 21, 2022
[Sperm DNA damage and male infertility]
Aarne I Koskimies1, Miia Savander, Nordström Ann-Marie
1Felicitas-Klinikka ja Bulevardin Androloginen Laboratorio, Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 00100, Helsinki.
Abstract:
Conventional semen analysis is a poor predictor of reproductive outcome. There is a lot of evidence that sperm DNA fragmentation tests can differentiate fertile from infertile men. DNA damage can be due to intrinsic (e.g., protamine deficiency), or extrinsic factors (e.g., tobacco smoking, infections, testicular hyperthermia, varicocele). Seminal plasma leucocytes generate excess free oxygen radicals and can cause sperm DNA fragmentation. Couples in whom the husband has a high DNA damage have low potential to a natural pregnancy. Sperm DNA damage is also associated with a lower pregnancy rate and an increase of pregnancy loss in assisted reproduction treatments.
Related Concept Videos
Infertility in Males
Spermatogenesis
Spermatogenesis
The process of spermatogenesis can be divided into mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During mitosis, the spermatogonia or stem cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells, type A and B spermatogonia. Type-A...
The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size. Today,...
Sperm Structure and Semen Composition
Sex-linked Disorders
