Sperm DNA fragmentation negatively correlates with velocity and fertilization rates but might not affect pregnancy rates

Huang, Chun-Chia; Lin, David Pei-Cheng; Tsao, Hui-Mei; Cheng, Tzu-Chun; Liu, Chung-Hsien; Lee, Maw-Sheng

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.08.042

« Previous Next »Fertility and Sterility
Volume 84, Issue 1 , Pages 130-140, July 2005

Sperm DNA fragmentation negatively correlates with velocity and fertilization rates but might not affect pregnancy rates

Chun-Chia Huang, M.Sc.
- Division of Infertility Clinic, Lee Womens’ Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Technology, Chungtai Institute of Health Science and Technology, Taichung, Taiwan
David Pei-Cheng Lin, Ph.D.
- Institute of Biochemistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
Hui-Mei Tsao, M.Sc.
- Division of Infertility Clinic, Lee Womens’ Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
Tzu-Chun Cheng, Ph.D.
- Division of Infertility Clinic, Lee Womens’ Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
Chung-Hsien Liu, M.D., Ph.D.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
Maw-Sheng Lee, M.D., Ph.D.
- Division of Infertility Clinic, Lee Womens’ Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Reprint requests: Maw-Sheng Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Lee Womens’ Hospital, No. 263 Pei-Tung Road, Taichung 406, Taiwan (FAX: 886-4-22384602

Received 19 April 2004; accepted 16 August 2004.

Objective

To evaluate sperm DNA fragmentation in correlation with sperm parameters and IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes.

Design

Retrospective review.

Setting

A tertiary infertility referral clinic.

Patient(s)

We collected 303 semen samples from patients undergoing IVF with or without ICSI.

Intervention(s)

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, measurement of fertilization rates, good embryo rates, and pregnancy rates for the IVF/ICSI program.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

The percentage of sperm with DNA fragmentation, correlated with semen analysis parameters and IVF/ICSI outcomes.

Result(s)

Sperm DNA fragmentation rates were significantly higher in patients with abnormal sperm parameters than in those with normal sperm parameters. When sperm DNA fragmentation was >10%, fertilization rates were affected. Sperm DNA fragmentation rates were negatively correlated with sperm velocity parameters but did not affect pregnancy outcomes.