[Role of sperm DNA integrity in male infertility].

The sperm DNA integrity is important for the success of natural or assisted fertilization, as well as normal development of the embryo, fetus and child. Some investigations have demonstrated that when the damaged spermatozoa DNA of the husband exceeds than 30%, the couple has very low potential of natural fertility. Several methods are available for the assessment of sperm DNA integrity, which is considered to be a better marker of male fertility potential than conventional semen parameters. Furthermore, monitering sperm DNA integrity may become an important part of the evaluation for couples seeking assisted reproductive techniques such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Finally, the effects of cryopreservation and preparation techniques on sperm DNA integrity are summarized.