BACKGROUND: Standard sperm characteristics are poor predictors of the outcome of IVF treatments. On the contrary, sperm genome quality has been emphasized for several years as playing a major role in early embryogenesis, thus in the success of IVF attempt. METHODS: Sperm DNA fragmentation from a selected group of 104 couples undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART) (IVF: n = 50; and ICSI: n = 54) was measured by TUNEL assay and correlated with semen and ART outcomes. RESULTS: A negative correlation was found between sperm characteristics and the proportion of sperm showing DNA fragmentation. For fragmentation >10%, a significant decrease of the fertilization rate was observed. No correlation was found between sperm DNA fragmentation and embryo quality. A high proportion of sperm with fragmented DNA was a pejorative factor to obtain pregnancies when ICSI was performed, but there was no relationship when conventional IVF was performed. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of sperm with DNA fragmentation appears to be potentially useful as a predictor of ICSI outcome, whereas embryo quality based on morphological criteria, appeared unaffected by DNA fragmentation.
BACKGROUND: Standard sperm characteristics are poor predictors of the outcome of IVF treatments. On the contrary, sperm genome quality has been emphasized for several years as playing a major role in early embryogenesis, thus in the success of IVF attempt. METHODS: Sperm DNA fragmentation from a selected group of 104 couples undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART) (IVF: n = 50; and ICSI: n = 54) was measured by TUNEL assay and correlated with semen and ART outcomes. RESULTS: A negative correlation was found between sperm characteristics and the proportion of sperm showing DNA fragmentation. For fragmentation >10%, a significant decrease of the fertilization rate was observed. No correlation was found between sperm DNA fragmentation and embryo quality. A high proportion of sperm with fragmented DNA was a pejorative factor to obtain pregnancies when ICSI was performed, but there was no relationship when conventional IVF was performed. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of sperm with DNA fragmentation appears to be potentially useful as a predictor of ICSI outcome, whereas embryo quality based on morphological criteria, appeared unaffected by DNA fragmentation.
Authors: Paula Intasqui; Mariana Camargo; Paula T Del Giudice; Deborah M Spaine; Valdemir M Carvalho; Karina H M Cardozo; Agnaldo P Cedenho; Ricardo P Bertolla Journal: J Assist Reprod Genet Date: 2013-07-27 Impact factor: 3.412
Authors: Ana Paula S Kussler; Anita M Pimentel; Diego D Alcoba; Isabella P Liu; Ilma Simoni Brum; Edison Capp; Helena V E Corleta Journal: Int Urol Nephrol Date: 2013-10-06 Impact factor: 2.370
Authors: Jeff G Wang; Nataki C Douglas; Robert Prosser; Daniel Kort; Janet M Choi; Mark V Sauer Journal: J Assist Reprod Genet Date: 2009-01-28 Impact factor: 3.412