Sperm DNA Fragmentation (sperm + dna_fragmentation)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Sperm DNA fragmentation in subfertile men: the effect on the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection and correlation with sperm variables

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 12 2008
James D.M. Nicopoullos
OBJECTIVE To present the first UK data on sperm DNA fragmentation levels in subfertile men and fertile controls, the correlation with semen variables, and to assess the effect on the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS In all, 56 subfertile men undergoing ICSI (28 with positive and 28 with a negative outcome for paternity) and 10 control fertile semen donors were recruited. The sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was assessed on raw pre-preparation samples using the sperm chromatin structure assay. A mean of 5212 sperm were analysed per sample and DFI data are presented by fertility status, ICSI outcome and correlated with semen variables (assessed using World Health Organisation criteria). RESULTS Total DFI was significantly higher in subfertile men than in fertile controls (mean and median of 22.8% and 17.0% vs 8.4% and 5.0%; P < 0.001), as was the proportion of both moderate DFI (16.4% and 13.0% vs 6.4% and 4.0%; P = 0.001) and high DFI (6.2% and 6.1 vs 2.0% and 1.0%; P = 0.01). This difference remained significant when the control men were compared only with the subfertile men with successful paternity. There was no significant difference in DFI in the subfertile men when analysed by ICSI outcome (mean and median of 24.5% and 17.0% vs 22.3% and 21.0% for successful and unsuccessful cycles, respectively; P = 0.94). There was a positive statistically significant correlation (r = 0.37; P = 0.02) between the DFI and sperm morphology. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms a relationship between male subfertility and sperm DFI; we discuss the correct role for genetic testing of sperm in the evaluation of subfertile men. Although DNA fragmentation data might help to decide a suitable treatment, once it is decided to proceed with ICSI, DFI levels have no effect on the outcome. [source]


Relationship between seminal ascorbic acid and sperm DNA integrity in infertile men

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 6 2006
Gyun Jee Song
Summary Ascorbic acid has recently been reported to protect sperm DNA from the damage induced by exogenous oxidative stress in vitro. But, there is no report on seminal ascorbic acid and sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men. In this study, we asked whether sperm DNA damage correlates with seminal ascorbic acid levels. Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was analysed in 75 men by flow cytometry after acridine orange staining. We also measured the levels of seminal plasma ascorbic acid and total antioxidant capacity. Abnormal sperm DNA integrity (DFI , 30%) was observed in 12% of the patients with normal semen parameters and in 52% of the patients with abnormal semen parameters. There were significant correlations between the level of DFI and conventional semen parameters including sperm count, motility and morphology (r = ,0.29, ,0.55 and ,0.53 respectively; p < 0.05). Seminal ascorbic acid level was significantly lower in the patients with leucospermia than the patient with normal semen parameters. Interestingly, a significantly greater percentage of men with abnormal DFI were observed in the patients with low levels of seminal ascorbic acid compared with those with normal or high levels of ascorbic acid (59% vs. 33%, p < 0.05). Men with insufficient seminal ascorbic acid frequently have sperm DNA damage. [source]


Correlation between neutral alpha-glucosidase activity and sperm DNA fragmentation

ANDROLOGIA, Issue 5 2009
M. Watanabe
Summary To evaluate the association between neutral ,-glucosidase (NAG) activity and sperm DNA fragmentation (DFI), ejaculates from 24 men undergoing evaluation for sperm DNA damage as a part of infertility assessment were analysed. The mean ± SD and range for the semen quality of the 24 ejaculates are as follows: volume (3.1 ± 1.3, 1.8,6.0 ml); sperm concentration (45.6 ± 41.1, 1.3,151.2 × 106 ml,1); sperm motility (52.8 ± 28.8, 1,95%); sperm with fragmented DNA (17.6 ± 15.4, 1.7,56.0%); sperm with immature chromatin (9.6 ± 3.8, 2.5,19.1%); NAG activity (37.9 ± 18.3, 4.4,75.3 mU ml,1). The only sperm parameter significantly correlated with neutral ,-glucosidase is the percentage of sperm DFI [correlation coefficient (r) = 0.4376, P = 0.03]. [source]


Protective effect of fallopian tubal fluid against activated leucocyte-induced sperm DNA fragmentation: preliminary results

ANDROLOGIA, Issue 3 2009
P. Navarrete Gómez
Summary The integrity of the paternal genome is of paramount importance in the initiation and maintenance of a viable pregnancy. Oxygen radicals (ROS) have been identified as one of the main factors responsible for the induction of sperm DNA damage. Spermatozoa are mainly protected against ROS-induced damage by seminal plasma. However, this protective effect disappears once spermatozoa enter the female genital tract. The fallopian tube mucosa may play a protective role against ROS-induced sperm damage. The main objective of this study was to determine whether human tubal explants and tubal fluid exert a protective effect on ROS-induced sperm DNA damage. Spermatozoa were exposed to tubal explants and/or tubal fluid in the presence of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-activated polymorphonuclear leucocytes or control medium and sperm DNA fragmentation was measured using the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labelling (TUNEL) test. Exposure of human spermatozoa to PMA-activated leucocytes resulted in a 2-fold increase in sperm DNA fragmentation. Co-incubation of spermatozoa with tubal explants did not reduce this damage. However, pre-incubation of spermatozoa with tubal fluid resulted in a statistically significant reduction in sperm DNA fragmentation levels, comparable to those observed in control. In conclusion, tubal fluid appears to protect against activated leucocyte-induced sperm DNA fragmentation, thus preserving the integrity of the paternal genome. [source]


The assessment of oxidative stress in infertile patients with varicocele

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 12 2008
Yuichi Sakamoto
OBJECTIVES To assess oxidative stress markers, antioxidant capacity and cytokines in seminal plasma from infertile patients with varicocele, and to investigate seminal oxidative status and sperm DNA damage after varicocelectomy. PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS The records were retrospectively evaluated for 28 azoospermic, 30 oligospermic (15 with varicocele and 15 without) and 30 patients with normal semen characteristics (15 with varicocele and 15 without). The mean (sd) age of the men was 32.4 (5.6) years; all men with varicocele had a unilateral or bilateral microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy. The level of nitric oxide (NO), 8-hydroxy-2,-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), hexanoyl-lysine (HEL), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor-, in seminal plasma were measured. In addition, sperm DNA fragmentation was analysed before and 6 months after varicocelectomy. RESULTS Azoospermic and oligospermic patients had a significantly higher HEL concentration and SOD activity in seminal plasma; those with varicocele had a significantly higher NO, HEL, and SOD activity in seminal plasma. There was a significant increase in sperm concentration and reduction in NO, HEL, 8-OHdG level and SOD activity after varicocelectomy. Oligospermic patients with varicocele had a significantly higher IL-6 level in seminal plasma, and there was a significant reduction after varicocelectomy. The percentage of apoptosis-positive sperm decreased significantly after varicocelectomy. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that the seminal plasma of patients with varicocele is under excessive oxidative stress, and partly even in patients with normospermia, and that varicocelectomy reduces oxidative stress in seminal plasma and ameliorates sperm DNA damage. [source]