Role of sperm chromatin abnormalities and DNA damage in male infertility

Abstract

Sperm DNA integrity is essential for the accurate transmission of genetic information. It has a highly compact and complex structure and is capable of decondensation-features that must be present in order for a spermatozoon to be considered fertile. Any form of sperm chromatin abnormalities or DNA damage may result in male infertility. In support of this conclusion, it was reported that in-vivo fecundity decreases progressively when > 30% of the spermatozoa are identified as having DNA damage. Several methods are used to assess sperm chromatin/DNA, which is considered an independent measure of sperm quality that may yield better diagnostic and prognostic approaches than standard sperm parameters (concentration, motility and morphology). The clinical significance of this assessment lies in its association not only with natural conception rates, but also with assisted reproduction success rates. Also, it has a serious impact on the offspring and is highly prognostic in the assessment of fertility in cancer patients. Therefore, screening for sperm DNA damage may provide useful information in cases of male idiopathic infertility and in those men pursuing assisted reproduction. Treatment should include methods for prevention of sperm DNA damage.

Assessing reproductive and endocrine parameters in male largescale suckers (Catostomus macrocheilus) along a contaminant gradient in the lower Columbia River, USA

“…Sperm DNA integrity is essential for the accurate transmission of genetic information, and sperm chromatin abnormalities or DNA damage may result in male infertility (Agarwal and Said, 2003;Jenkins, 2011b;Rempel et al, 2009). In this study, site differences were noted in DNA fragmentation (P = 0.0016), where LV N SK = CC (Table 2; Fig.…”

Fluctuation of “sperm DNA integrity” in accordance with semen parameters, and it’s relationship with infertility

“…Sperm DNA damage has an important effect on in vivo fertilization [2]. Many studies have shown that the levels of sperm DNA damage in fertile and infertile males were considerably different [22].…”

Evaluación de parámetros seminales no convencionales en individuos cuyas parejas presentan muerte embrionaria temprana recurrente: en busca de un valor de referencia

“…En estudios en los cuales los espermatozoides fueron expuestos a especies reactivas del oxígeno, producidas artificialmente, se observó un incremento significativo en el daño del ADN, posiblemente por la modificación de bases, deleciones, cambios en el marco de lectura, y alteraciones cromosómicas y de la integridad de la cromatina (23,24). En otro estudio, en el cual se evaluó la fragmentación del ADN espermático en 24 hombres cuyas parejas presentaban pérdida de la gestación recurrente de causa no explicada, se encontró un incremento significativo en la morfología alterada y en la fragmentación del ADN espermático, lo que podría explicar la pérdida de la gestación en sus compañeras, pero no se halló correlación del daño del ADN con los parámetros seminales convencionales (25).…”