Sperm DNA integrity testing: big halo is a good predictor of embryo quality and pregnancy after conventional IVF

Abstract

SUMMARYSperm DNA integrity is a sperm functional parameter of male fertility evaluation. Two parameters of sperm DNA integrity were observed: DNA damage expressed as DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and percentage of the DNA undamaged spermatozoa expressed as big halo. Halosperm test was used for sperm DNA integrity determination. The aim of this study was to evaluate which DNA integrity parameter is better as an embryo quality and pregnancy prognostic parameter after the conventional IVF. We evaluated two embryo groups (positive and negative group) according to the 3rd day cumulative embryo score. Big halo and DFI, as we expected, showed good correlation (r = À0.69; p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses show that DFI and big halo are significant (p < 0.001) as prognostic parameters of embryo quality. ROC curves comparison of DFI and big halo revealed the AUC value for big halo to be significantly higher (DFI AUC = 0.71 vs. big halo AUC = 0.83; p = 0.025) than for DFI. Big halo was found to be the only independent predictor of embryo quality. Sperm DNA integrity both parameters are good prognostic parameters of embryo quality after the conventional IVF where big halo seems to be better. ROC analyses show DFI and big halo as significant prognostic parameters for achieved pregnancy (AUC AE SE for DFI was 0.67 AE 0.06 and 0.75 AE 0.06 for big halo). To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the correlation between sperm DNA undamaged rate expressed as big halo parameter and semen characteristics as well as the influence on fertilization rate, embryo quality and pregnancy in conventional IVF.

Histone retention, protein carbonylation, and lipid peroxidation in spermatozoa: Possible role in recurrent pregnancy loss

“…The deleterious effect of fragmented paternal DNA on embryonic viability and progression of pregnancy has been experimentally shown in mouse models [Ahmadi and Ng 1999] and similar results were also observed in human patients who opt for assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF and ICSI [Lin et al 2008;Muriel et al 2006;Robinson et al 2012;Tandara et al 2014;Tesarik et al 2004;Wdowiak et al 2015;Zhao et al 2014;Zini et al 2008]. In idiopathic cases of recurrent miscarriages too, the higher rates of sperm DNA fragmentation have been implicated, in the absence of any detectable female factor abnormality [Absalan et al 2012;Brahem et al 2011;Carrell et al 2003;Kumar et al 2012;Ramasamy et al 2015;Ribas-Maynou et al 2012;Zidi-Jrah et al 2016].…”

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

“…A study by Tandara and colleagues has shown that halos obtained with the Halosperm represent a prognostic parameter of good embryo quality. In their study, they found a significant correlation between large halos, good morphology embryos, scored on day three of development, and the achievement of a pregnancy [25].…”

Sperm quality and DNA damage in men from Jilin Province, China, who are occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation

“…Sperm DNA integrity is a functional parameter of male fertility evaluation (Tandara et al, 2014). A molecular epidemiology approach and/or the use of integrated biomarkers of sperm quality and sperm DNA damage might be useful for future research focused on the low-to-moderate dose range for diagnostic and professional exposures (Latini et al, 2012).…”

“…Sperm DNA integrity is a functional parameter of male fertility evaluation (Tandara et al, 2014). The sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) is a good prognostic marker; a higher sperm DFI may be associated with a poor successful pregnancy rate, even after assisted conception, and may be associated with recurrent loss of the fetus (Venkatesh et al, 2011).…”