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Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects
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Sperm DNA fragmentation in cryopreserved samples from subjects with different cancers
Lara Tamburrino1, Marta Cambi1, Sara Marchiani1
1Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, I-50139 Florence, Italy.
Reproduction, Fertility, and Development
|October 15, 2015
Summary
Cancer patients undergoing fertility preservation show higher sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in cryopreserved sperm. This increased DNA damage may explain lower in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates in these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Sperm cryopreservation is a vital fertility preservation method for cancer patients undergoing gonadotoxic therapies.
- Reduced success rates in in vitro fertilization (IVF) using cryopreserved sperm from cancer patients have been observed.
- The role of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in this diminished fertilizing capacity requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and the reduced IVF success observed with cryopreserved sperm from cancer patients.
- To compare SDF levels in thawed sperm from cancer patients versus non-cancer patients undergoing cryopreservation.
Main Methods:
- Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) was assessed using the terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay combined with propidium iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry.
- Analysis differentiated between PI dimmer (non-viable) and PI brighter (potentially viable with fragmented DNA) sperm populations.
- Evaluated thawed spermatozoa from 78 cancer patients and 53 non-cancer patients.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher proportion of DNA-fragmented PI brighter spermatozoa was found in thawed samples from cancer patients compared to non-cancer patients.
- A positive correlation between the degree of DNA fragmentation and sperm motility was observed specifically within the PI brighter population of cancer patients' sperm.
- No such correlation was found in the non-cancer patient group.
Conclusions:
- Elevated sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in cryopreserved sperm likely contributes to the lower IVF success rates in male cancer survivors.
- SDF assessment may serve as a valuable adjunct to genetic counseling for cancer patients seeking fertility preservation.
- Routine SDF evaluation could enhance the management and counseling of cancer patients considering fertility preservation.
