Purpose The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of morphokinetic abnormalities of human spermatozoa on chromatin packing and DNA integrity and possible beneficial effects of sperm selection in ICSI. Methods Semen samples from 1002 patients were analysed for morphology and motility using CASA. Protamine status and DNA fragmentation were analysed by chromomycin A3 staining and sperm chromatin dispersion assay respectively. Results Sperms with elongated, thin, round, pyri, amorphous, micro and macro forms were significantly higher in teratozoospermic and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic groups. Significant difference in chromatin packing and DNA fragmentation index was observed in these abnormal groups compared with normal. Similarly significant correlation was also seen between abnormal motility parameters and DNA fragmentation index in asthenozoospermic group compared with normal. Conclusions Specific abnormal morphological forms have higher incidence of chromatin packing abnormalities and DNA fragmentation. Using these sperms in ICSI might have an impact on fertilization, embryo development and abortion rates. These can be selectively avoided during ICSI procedure to improve ART outcome.

In the present study, sperm with DNA fragmentation showed a negative correlation with semen parameters. Further, sperm with damaged DNA have potential adverse effects on embryo progression, clinical pregnancy rate, and ongoing pregnancies.