Routine semen analysis is a poor predictor of pregnancy rates after intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). There is an assumption that embryos' quality and fertilization rates could be influenced by epigenetic factors. We aimed at comparing global sperm DNA methylation level (GSDML) between normal and abnormal semen, investigating its relationship with sperm parameters and assessing its effect on ICSI outcomes; fertilization, good embryo and pregnancy rates. Ejaculates were obtained from 104 infertile and 60 fertile males undergoing ICSI at Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS software package, 20. Inter-group differences in semen parameters were assessed by t-test. GSDML, measured by ELISA, showed significant positive correlation with sperm count, concentration and motility. It correlated positively but insignificantly with morphology and fertilization rate. High levels were significantly associated with embryos having good quality and positive pregnancy rates. GSDML could predict good embryo rate and pregnancy occurrence after ICSI.
Keywords: ICSI; Infertility; Methylation; Sperm.