Extent of nuclear DNA damage in ejaculated spermatozoa impacts on blastocyst development after in vitro fertilization

Purpose Standard semen parameters are poor predictors of fertility potential. To date, apart from, paternal karyotyping sperm factors are not evaluated in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), only recent studies have emphasized the role of sperm factors in early embryonic development as sperm transcribes genes critical for early embryonic development. Sperm DNA integrity is useful diagnostic and prognostic marker and has clinical implications in idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (iRPL) following spontaneous conception. The aim of this study was to assess DNA integrity in cases experiencing iRPL following spontaneous conception. Methods Semen samples from 45 patients and 20 controls were analyzed as per WHO 1999 guidelines and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) was used to measure DNA fragmentation index (DFI). Results By applying receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis, sperm DFI of approximately 26 % was found in male partner of couples experiencing iRPL. Conclusions Our data indicate that sperm from men with a history of iRPL have a higher percentage of DNA damage as compared to control group, and this can explain pregnancy loss in these patients. Men with higher DFI are infertile whereas men with lower DFI (26 %) are able to conceive but experience recurrent pregnancy loss. Thus it is important to evaluate sperm DFI in couples experiencing iRPL to understand exact aetiology of RPL and determine prognosis and management.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictive value of DNA integrity analysis in idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss following spontaneous conception

Kumar

Deka

Singh

et al. 2012

“…Specifically, this damage concerns failed fertilization, impaired embryo development, and an increased risk of pregnancy loss after IUI, IVF, and ICSI [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The pellet swim-up is the best technique for sperm preparation during in vitro fertilization procedures

Volpes

Sammartano

Rizzari

et al. 2016

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the most suitable sperm preparation technique to apply in order to obtain a spermatozoon population with minimal DNA damage during in vitro fertilization procedures. We compared four preparation techniques: direct swim-up (DSU), pellet swimup (PSU), density gradient (DG), and density gradient followed by swim-up (DG-SU), evaluating the effects of each technique on the DNA damage rate, evaluated by DNA fragmentation index of the spermatozoa obtained. Methods In this observational study, 98 semen samples from couples undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles were included. Data were collected between April and November 2014 at the ANDROS Day Surgery Clinic, Palermo, Italy. Result(s) The percentages of DNA fragmentation were 18.30 ± 10.8 in raw samples, 6.6 ± 5.7 after DSU, 4.2 ± 3.8 after PSU, 12.9 ± 9.9 after DG, and 3.7 ± 4.0 after DG-SU respectively. Compared to the raw evaluation, all the preparation techniques significantly decreased the total rate of the DNA fragmentation (DSU Z = −8.60, P < 0.008; PSU Z = −8.54, P < 0.008; DG Z = −6.42, P < 0.008, and DG-SU Z = −8.60, P < 0.008, respectively). Comparing them, spermatozoa with intact DNA after PSU and DG-SU were significantly higher than after DSU (Z = −7.12, P < 0.008; Z = −6.59, P < 0.008, respectively) and after DG (Z = −8.41, P < 0.008; Z = −8.60, P < 0.008, respectively). The difference between PSU and DG-SU was not significant (Z = −2.21, P = 0.03). Conclusion(s) There are, above all, two techniques of sperm preparation which allow for the recovery of spermatozoa with the lowest DNA fragmentation rate. Furthermore, given low costs and reduced time, we believe that PSU is the best option in the treatment of semen samples during IVF/ICSI.

“…One potential reason for these suboptimal rates may be the inclusion of apoptotic sperm during in vitro fertilization (IVF) [1,2]. Sperm may have fragmented DNA despite a normal appearance and motility, and the use of such sperm in ART may have adverse effects on the outcome of the procedure [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical outcome of magnetic activated cell sorting of non-apoptotic spermatozoa before density gradient centrifugation for assisted reproduction

Dırıcan¹,

Özgün²,

Akarsu³

et al. 2008

126

Purpose Magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) eliminates apoptotic spermatozoa based on the presence of externalized phosphatidylserine residues. We evaluated the outcome of male fertility treatment when intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) into human oocytes was performed with non-apoptotic MACS-selected spermatozoa. Methods 196 couples were treated by ICSI following spermatozoa preparation by MACS (study group; 122 couples) or density gradient centrifugation (DGC) (control group; 74 couples). Fertilization, cleavage, pregnancy, and implantation rates were analyzed. Results The percentage of sperm with normal morphology after MACS selection was improved. Cleavage and pregnancy rates were higher, respectively, in the study group than in control. A slightly higher implantation rate was also observed in the study group. Conclusions MACS selection of human spermatozoa increased cleavage and pregnancy rates in oligoasthenozoospermic ART cases. This novel method for selecting nonapoptotic spermatozoa for ICSI is safe and reliable, and may improve the assisted reproduction outcome.