Assessment of sperm nuclear DNA damage is predictive of the outcome of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) in couples with male factor infertility.

Introduction and Objectives:

The objective of our study was to examine the significance of assessment of sperm DNA damage in predicting the outcome of ART in couples with male factor infertility.

Methods:

Ninety-two infertile couples with normal female partners were included in this study. A group of fertile donors (n =16) served as controls. Standard semen analysis was performed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Levels of sperm nuclear DNA damage were determined by sperm chromatin structure assay. Thirty-three out of the 92 couples underwent ART procedures [intrauterine insemination (IUI) (n = 19), in-vitro fertilization (IVF) (n = 10), or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (n = 4)], while the remaining 59 did not.

Results:

Sperm DNA damage (%COMPαt) and motility were significantly correlated with pregnancy (P = 0.04 & 0.03). Levels of DNA damage were negatively correlated with pregnancy, naturally (P = 0.01, r = 0.5), or through IUI (P =0.01, r = 0.5), IVF (P = 0.009, r = 0.7), but not ICSI (P = 0.2). No pregnancy was reported at DNA damage > 28%, naturally or through any ART. The diagnostic measures of sperm DNA damage and motility to predict pregnancy in couples with male factor infertility are illustrated in the table.

Conclusions:

Sperm DNA damage test may be a potential tool for predicting the outcome of ART in couples with male factor infertility. Since level of DNA damage >28% is inconsistent with initiation of pregnancy, it may be wise to consider canceling an ART cycle when sperm DNA damage exceeds this level.