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Does sperm DNA fragmentation correlate with semen parameters?

Minh Tam Le1,2, Tam An Thi Nguyen2, Hiep Tuyet Thi Nguyen3

  • 1Department of OBGYN Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hue University Hue Vietnam.

Reproductive Medicine and Biology
|October 15, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) shows weak correlation with routine semen analysis. Additional sperm DNA integrity testing is recommended for male fertility evaluation.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Andrology
  • Sperm Biology

Background:

  • Routine semen analysis is standard for male fertility assessment.
  • Sperm DNA integrity is increasingly recognized as a crucial factor in reproductive outcomes.
  • The relationship between conventional semen parameters and sperm DNA damage requires further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between sperm quality assessed by routine semen analysis and sperm DNA integrity.
  • To determine the correlation between the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and standard semen parameters.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 318 men from infertile couples.
  • Semen parameters were analyzed, and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was measured using the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) assay.
  • Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze correlations between DFI and semen parameters.

Main Results:

  • DFI showed a significant positive correlation with abnormal head morphology (ρ = .202, P = .0003).
  • DFI exhibited a weak negative correlation with progressive motility (ρ = -.168, P = .0027).
  • DFI was associated with male age, smoking, and alcohol consumption (P < .05).

Conclusions:

  • Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) is not strongly correlated with conventional semen parameters.
  • Sperm DNA fragmentation assay should be considered an additional diagnostic tool in male fertility investigations.
  • Further research may elucidate the clinical utility of DFI in predicting fertility outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
DNA fragmentationchromatininfertilitysemen analysisspermatozoa

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