paria behdarvandiyan

Sperm motility is a fundamental factor for sperm penetration into the oocyte and fertilization. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2021, less than 42 percent of motility is called asthenozoospermia, which is one of the most common causes of male infertility. This retrospective cohort study aims to investigate sperm DNA damage with TUNEL and SCSA methods and its relationship with sperm parameters, age, and body mass index (BMI) in severe asthenospermia (<2% sperm motility) and normozoospermia.

The study parameters between 111 subjects with severe asthenozoospermia and 113 subjects with normozoospermia were investigated. The 2010 World Health Organization guidelines were used to evaluate sperm parameters, and TUNEL and SCSA methods were used to assess sperm DNA damage. The statistical analysis was done using the t-test of two independent samples. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between sperm DNA damage and sperm parameters, age, and BMI P<0.05 was considered significant.

The mean seminal volume, sperm concentration and count, and the percentage of sperm total motility and progressive motility were significantly lower in severe asthenospermic subjects compared to normozoospermic subjects (P<0.001). In addition, the mean percentage of sperm DNA damage in severe asthenozoospermic individuals was significantly higher than in normozoospermic individuals (P<0.001). There was also a positive and significant relationship between sperm DNA damage and the age of severely asthenozoospermic men.

Sperm motility, sperm DNA damage, and the father's age are essential in the successful conception, development, and health of the embryo. Therefore, the evaluation of sperm DNA damage is recommended in examining male fertility and selecting the appropriate treatment approach for men with severe asthenozoospermia.

Practical Implications:

Considering that the sperm genome constitutes 50 percent of the genetic material of the next generation, evaluating sperm DNA health to determine the appropriate treatment approach in infertile men can be influential in the success of assisted reproductive techniques and in maintaining the next generation’s health.

Asthenozoospermia is an infertility condition in which a person has reduced sperm motility and so, the chance of the sperm fertilizing the egg in the female reproductive tract is reduced. This study aimed to investigate sperm DNA damage using SCSA and TUNEL tests in a large population of infertile men with asthenozoospermia, comparing them with a population of normozoospermic individuals with healthy sperm samples.

In this observational case-control study, semen parameters were assessed according to the World Health Organization guidelines (2010) guideline in a large population of asthenozoospermic (1383) and normozoospermic (2235) men referring to Isfahan Fertility and Sterility Center. In addition, sperm DNA fragmentation were assessed by TUNEL, and SCSA tests. For comparison of study variations between two groups, independent samples t-test was used, and for correlation between parameters, Pearson's correlation coefficient was carried out. P<0.05 was considered significant.

Despite no significant differences in sperm volume and body mass index, the means of sperm concentration, count, total sperm motility and total progressive were significantly lower in the asthenozoospermic men compared to normozoospermic men (P<0.001). In addition, the means of high DNA stainability as well as sperm DNA fragmentation assessed by SCSA and TUNEL tests were significantly higher in asthenozoospermic men compared to normozoospermic men (P<0.001).

In asthenozoospermic men, sperm DNA is severely damaged, so before using assisted reproductive techniques in these individuals, it is better to use antioxidant treatment and/or novel sperm preparation methods for treatment of them.

Oligozoospermia or reduced sperm concentration is often associated with abnormal motility and morphology, reflecting abnormal spermatogenesis in the testes. The sperm DNA integrity plays an important role in embryo development, and fertility. Therefore, we aimed to assess sperm DNA integrity in a population of oligozoospermic and normozoospermic men.

In this cross-sectional study, 967 oligozoospermic samples (sperm count lower than 39 million per ejaculation), and 967 normozoospermic samples according to World Health Organization criteria were included. Sperm DNA damage was assessed by SCSA and TUNEL assays. Statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS version 22 software and a significance level of less than 0.05 was considered.

Mean sperm DNA damage and also DNA stainability were significantly higher in oligozoospermic individuals than them in normozoospermic individuals (Ps<0.001). Unlike semen volume and sperm count which was significantly lower (P<0.001), the mean of sperm abnormal morphology was significantly higher in oligozoospermic men compared to normozoospermic men (P<0.001).

In individuals with oligozoospermia, in addition to the count, morphology and motility of sperm can also be abnormal according to the WHO threshold. Also, sperm DNA damage is significantly high, which can indicate abnormal spermatogenesis and epididymal immaturity. Therefore, depending on the severity of the damage, it is preferable to manage therapeutic interventions, such as drug therapies or assisted reproductive techniques, in order to make the best decisions regarding treatment.