OBJECTIVES: To study the post-natal characteristics and the survival of offspring derived from DNA damaged sperm. STUDY DESIGN: This experimental prospective study was conducted on Swiss Albino mice (Mus musculus). Sperm DNA damage was induced by different doses of γ-irradiation in male mice who were then mated with healthy female mice. The post-natal characteristics including the survival of first generation offspring were studied and then correlated with the amount of paternal sperm DNA damage. RESULTS: A significant reduction of survival in the early post-natal period was observed in the first generation offspring derived from the DNA damaged sperm, and a strong association was observed between the extent of sperm DNA damage and the survival of the offspring. CONCLUSION: The DNA damage load in sperm at the time of fertilization influences early post-natal survival of the mouse offspring.
OBJECTIVES: To study the post-natal characteristics and the survival of offspring derived from DNA damaged sperm. STUDY DESIGN: This experimental prospective study was conducted on Swiss Albino mice (Mus musculus). Sperm DNA damage was induced by different doses of γ-irradiation in male mice who were then mated with healthy female mice. The post-natal characteristics including the survival of first generation offspring were studied and then correlated with the amount of paternal sperm DNA damage. RESULTS: A significant reduction of survival in the early post-natal period was observed in the first generation offspring derived from the DNA damaged sperm, and a strong association was observed between the extent of sperm DNA damage and the survival of the offspring. CONCLUSION: The DNA damage load in sperm at the time of fertilization influences early post-natal survival of the mouse offspring.