Correlation of Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index With Semen Parameters, Lifestyle and Clinical Pregnancy Outcome After Intracytoplasmic Injection

Mahbod Ebrahimi; Firoozeh Akbari Asbagh; Mojgan Tavakoli; Nasim Eshraghi; Naghmeh Poormand; Marjan Ghaemi

doi:10.18502/jfrh.v18i2.15936

Mahbod Ebrahimi Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Yas Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Firoozeh Akbari Asbagh Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Yas Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mojgan Tavakoli Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Yas Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Nasim Eshraghi Vali-E-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Family Health Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Naghmeh Poormand Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Yas Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Marjan Ghaemi Vali-E-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Family Health Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jfrh.v18i2.15936

Keywords: Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index; Assisted Reproductive Technology; Male Infertility; Embryo Quality; Semen Analysis

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to measure the correlation of sperm DNA fragmentation with semen parameters, lifestyle, and fertility outcomes after intracytoplasmic injection (ICSI).

Materials and methods: The partners who were candidates for ICSI with a history of one In vitro fertilization (IVF) failure or male factor were recruited in the study. Semen parameters including sperm count, motility, and morphology as well as DNA fragmentation index (DFI) (that were divided into 2 groups as high (>15%), and low (≤15%) fragmentation scales) were evaluated either. The correlation of DFI with semen parameters, lifestyle, and clinical pregnancy after ICSI were compared between groups.

Results: In 120 included couples, 59 men (49.2%) had DFIs ≤ 15% and 61 (50.8%) cases had DFIs >15%. In the group with higher DFI, abnormal morphology (p=0.010) was higher whereas, progressive motility (p=0.001), total motility (p<0.001), and total count (p<0.001) of sperm were significantly lower. In addition, the DFI was significantly higher in the subgroup of male infertility (0.012). Logistic regression showed that a lower risk of DFI>15% was associated with higher values of progressive motility (OR=0.97, p=0.001), total motility (OR=0.96, p=<0.001), count (OR=0.96, p=<0.001) and even clinical pregnancy (OR=0.27, p=0.011). However, a history of testicular surgery was associated with a higher risk of DFI>15% (OR=3.37, p=0.046). Although no correlation was found between male age and lifestyle components with DFI, the number of embryos was lower in DFI≥15% (p<0.001).

Conclusion: DFI provide a clinically important measurement of sperm quality and have an impact on IVF outcomes; however, lifestyle components may not correlate with DFI.