Effect of an abnormal sperm chromatin structural assay (SCSA) on pregnancy outcome following (IVF) with ICSI in previous IVF failures.

A high DNA fragmentation index (DFI) when performing the sperm chromatin structural (SCSA) assay was claimed to be so specific for male subfertility that even IVF and ICSI did not result in live pregnancies. The present study was designed to corroborate or refute these findings. The SCSA test was performed on the male partner from couples failing to have a successful pregnancy despite at least 2 previous IVF attempts. In contrast to the aforementioned studies, ongoing pregnancies were found despite working with a group of recalcitrant patients. Nevertheless, a high DFI score was associated with a trend for lower ongoing pregnancy rates especially related to a high miscarriage rate. Other more recent studies seem to support our conclusions. A high DFI score should influence a patient to choose IVF as a therapeutic modality sooner, especially with ICSI.