Correlations between two markers of sperm DNA integrity, DNA denaturation and DNA fragmentation, in fertile and infertile men

Objective: To evaluate two different assays of human sperm DNA integrity, D NA denaturation (DD) and DNA fragmentation (DF), and to correlate these wit h standard semen parameters. Design: Prospective, observational study. Setting: University infertility clinic. Patient(s): Forty consecutive semen samples from 33 nonazoospermic men pres enting for infertility evaluation and 7 fertile men presenting for vasectom y. Intervention(s): Assessment of sperm concentration, motility, morphology, D D and DF. Main Outcome Measure(s): Sperm DD and DF in fertile and infertile men. Results: The mean (+/- SE) rates of DD and DF were significantly higher in infertile subjects compared to fertile controls, respectively: 25.4 +/- 3.0 vs. 10.2 +/- 2.3 (P=.028) and 27.6 +/- 2.5 vs. 13.3 +/- 2.5% (P=.016). DF and DD correlated strongly (r = 0.71, P<.0001). Also, DD and DF correlated negatively with standard semen parameters (concentration, motility, and mor phology), the Strongest correlation being with sperm motility. Conclusion(s): The strong correlation between sperm DD and DF, and the high er levels of sperm DNA damage in infertile compared with fertile men. indic ate that male infertility is associated with poor sperm DNA integrity. Alth ough infertile men may father children with assisted conception, fertilizat ion with DNA-damaged spermatozoa may increase the risk of genetic disease i n the offspring. <(c)> 2001 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.