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Magnetic-activated cell sorting is not completely effective at reducing sperm DNA fragmentation
Mercedes González Martínez1, Pascual Sánchez-Martín1, Mónica Dorado-Silva1
1Ginemed, Farmacéutico Murillo Herrera, 3, 41010, Sevilla, Spain.
Purpose:
To determine whether there is a homogeneous reduction of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in sperm samples recovered from the MACS procedure, compared to spermatozoa in the initial ejaculate (NEAT) and those retained in the column.
Methods:
This study investigated the relative change in sperm DNA quality (SDF) of neat ejaculates (10 idiopathic infertile and 10 normozoospermic patients) to subpopulations of spermatozoa that had passed through the column (MACS-) and those retained (MACS+) by the annexin-V conjugated microbeads.
Results:
While the MACS protocol was capable of reducing the mean proportion of SDF (59.2%; P = 0.000) and sperm with highly degraded DNA (SDD; 65.7%, P = 0.000) in all patients, the reduction was not homogeneous across the patient cohort. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.772, P = 0.000) was apparent between the level of SDF in the NEAT ejaculate and the efficacy of SDF reduction observed in the MACS- fraction.
Conclusion:
MACS is capable of reducing the proportion of SDF, especially spermatozoa with a highly degraded DNA molecule. However, this reduction did not preclude the presence of a small subpopulation of spermatozoa with damaged DNA in the MACS- fraction. The MACS protocol was two- to threefold more efficient when the SDF in NEAT ejaculate was equal to or greater than 30%. In 4 of 20 individuals, the level of SDF after MACS resulted in semen for ICSI with a higher or non-significant reduction when compared to SDF observed in the NEAT ejaculate.
Insights
The MACS procedure reduces sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), particularly highly degraded sperm DNA. However, the reduction effectiveness varies between patients, especially when initial SDF levels are low.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Spermatozoa quality assessment
- Assisted reproductive technologies
Background:
- Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) is a significant factor impacting male fertility.
- Assessing and reducing SDF is crucial for successful assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
- The MACS (magnetic-activated cell sorting) procedure is utilized to improve sperm quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the homogeneity of sperm DNA fragmentation reduction using the MACS procedure.
- To compare SDF levels in neat ejaculates (NEAT), MACS- (passed through), and MACS+ (retained) sperm populations.
- To determine the correlation between initial SDF levels and MACS procedure efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) was analyzed in neat ejaculates (NEAT) from 10 idiopathic infertile and 10 normozoospermic patients.
- Spermatozoa were separated into MACS- (passed through) and MACS+ (retained) fractions using annexin-V microbeads.
- The relative change in SDF was assessed in these subpopulations.
Main Results:
- The MACS protocol significantly reduced mean SDF (59.2%) and highly degraded DNA (SDD; 65.7%).
- SDF reduction was not uniform across all patients, showing a positive correlation with initial NEAT SDF levels (r=0.772).
- The MACS procedure was 2-3 times more effective when initial SDF was ≥30%.
Conclusions:
- MACS effectively reduces SDF, especially highly degraded sperm DNA, but a small subpopulation of damaged sperm may remain.
- MACS efficacy is significantly influenced by the baseline SDF level in the neat ejaculate.
- In some cases, the post-MACS SDF level did not show significant improvement or even increased compared to the NEAT ejaculate, impacting suitability for ICSI.
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