Effects of Sperm DNA Fragmentation on Semen Parameters and ICSI Outcome Determined by an Improved SCD Test, Halosperm

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ferticenter IVF Unit, Istanbul, Turkey . Ferticenter IVF Unit, Istanbul, Turkey Department of Biology, Gebze Institute of Technology, Kocaeli, Turkey . Department of Biology, Gebze Institute of Technology, Kocaeli, Turkey

2 Department of Biology, Gebze Institute of Technology, Kocaeli, Turkey

3 Ferticenter IVF Unit, Istanbul, Turkey

4 Zeynep Kamil Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract

Background
Sperm DNA fragmentation is known as an important cause of male infertility. The influence of sperm DNA damage on reproductive potential has been subject of many studies indicating various results and remaining the subject controversial. In this study, we investigated differences of the semen parameters and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome according to sperm DNA fragmentation levels (DFLs) of patients.


Materials and methods
The DFLs were determined by Halosperm, a new improved sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test. Patients were grouped as low DNA fragmentation group (LFG ≤30%) and high fragmentation group (HFG >30%).


Results
Our analysis showed that semen parameters including concentration of untreated sperm and motility of prepared semen were low in HGF, whereas other parameters were not different. Sperm DNA fragmentation levels decreased in both groups after semen preparation by density gradient technique.


Conclusion
No difference was detected on ICSI outcomes (fertilization, embryo development, embryo cleavage, embryo quality and pregnancy rates) between two group.

Keywords