Relationship between pregnancy, embryo development, and sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation dynamics

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Spermatozoa research
• Embryology

Background:

• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a key infertility treatment.
• Sperm DNA fragmentation (DFI) can affect embryo development and pregnancy rates.
• Understanding DFI dynamics is crucial for optimizing ICSI outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the real-time impact of sperm DNA fragmentation dynamics on embryo growth.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of ICSI treatment in relation to DFI.
• To identify key DFI metrics predicting pregnancy achievement.

Main Methods:

• 148 couples undergoing ICSI treatment were studied.
• Semen samples were analyzed for DNA fragmentation index (DFI) at 0, 3, 6, and 12 hours.
• Continuous embryo culture monitoring occurred over 12 hours.

Main Results:

• A significant difference in DFI at 12 hours correlated with treatment outcomes.
• The rate of DFI change between 6-12 hours significantly predicted pregnancy.
• DFI levels and growth rate influenced embryo development time and ICSI success.

Conclusions:

• Sperm DNA fragmentation intensity and its rate of change critically affect embryo development during ICSI.
• Elevated sperm DNA fragmentation after 12 hours is the most significant prognostic factor for successful pregnancy.
• DFI monitoring over time provides valuable insights into ICSI treatment efficacy.