Sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation as assessed by the sperm chromatin dispersion test in assisted reproductive technology programs: results of a large prospective multicenter study

Velez de la Calle, Juan Felipe; Muller, Audrey; Walschaerts, Marie; Clavere, Jean Louis; Jimenez, Clément; Wittemer, Christiane; Thonneau, Patrick

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.09.021

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Volume 90, Issue 5 , Pages 1792-1799, November 2008

Sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation as assessed by the sperm chromatin dispersion test in assisted reproductive technology programs: results of a large prospective multicenter study

Juan Felipe Velez de la Calle, M.D.
- Unité In Vitro Fertilization, Clinique Pasteur Saint-Esprit, Brest, France
Audrey Muller, Ph.D.
- Human Fertility Research Group, Paul Sabatier University and Paule de Viguier Hospital, Toulouse, France
Marie Walschaerts, M.Sc.
- Human Fertility Research Group, Paul Sabatier University and Paule de Viguier Hospital, Toulouse, France
Jean Louis Clavere, M.D.
- Centre de Fécondation In Vitro, Bayonne, France
Clément Jimenez, M.D.
- Service de Biologie de la Reproduction, University Hospital Dijon, Dijon, France
Christiane Wittemer, M.D.
- Service de Biologie de la Reproduction, Centre d'Assisted Reproductive Techiques, Maternity Department of University Hospital, Schiltigheim, France
Patrick Thonneau, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D.
- Human Fertility Research Group, Paul Sabatier University and Paule de Viguier Hospital, Toulouse, France
- Reprint requests: Patrick Thonneau, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D., Human Fertility Research Group, Paul Sabatier University and Toulouse Hospital, 330 avenue de Grande Bretagne, 31059 Toulouse, France (FAX: +33 5 67 77 10 43).

Received 20 June 2007; received in revised form 12 September 2007; accepted 12 September 2007. published online 03 January 2008.

Objective

To assess the value of sperm DNA fragmentation, measured by the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, in predicting fertilization rate, embryo quality, and pregnancy outcome.

Design

Prospective study.

Setting

Four French infertility centers, from January to August 2005.

Patient(s)

Six hundred twenty-two couples participating in their first IVF or ICSI program.

Intervention(s)

Analysis of DNA fragmentation by the sperm chromatin dispersion test in sperm samples used for IVF or ICSI.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Correlations and associations between sperm parameters, sperm DNA integrity, and pregnancy outcomes.

Result(s)

A statistically significant correlation was observed between sperm DNA fragmentation rate and the following sperm characteristics: sperm motility, morphology, and concentration. We found a statistically significant relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation rate and fertilization rate, and we were able to suggest a threshold sperm DNA fragmentation rate of 18%, above which fragmentation rate was predictive of fertilization rate. Regarding embryo quality, we observed a relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation and embryo quality. No significant relationship was found between sperm DNA fragmentation rate and clinical pregnancies or births.