Sperm DNA fragmentation negatively correlates with velocity and fertilization rates but might not affect pregnancy rates

Objective: To evaluate sperm DNA fragmentation in correlation with sperm parameters and IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes. Design: Retrospective review. Setting: A tertiary infertility referral clinic. Patient(s): We collected 303 semen samples from patients undergoing IVF with or without ICSI. Intervention(s): Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, measurement of fertilization rates, good embryo rates, and pregnancy rates for the IVF/ICSI program. Main Outcome Measure(s): The percentage of sperm with DNA fragmentation, correlated with semen analysis parameters and IVF/ICSI outcomes. Result(s): Sperm DNA fragmentation rates were significantly higher in patients with abnormal sperm parameters than in those with normal sperm parameters. When sperm DNA fragmentation was >10%, fertilization rates were affected. Sperm DNA fragmentation rates were negatively correlated with sperm velocity parameters but did not affect pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion(s): The results indicated that sperm DNA fragmentation affects fertilization rates and sperm motility but might not affect pregnancy rates.