Shorter abstinence decreases sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation in ejaculate

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between duration of sexual abstinence and sperm selection on sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF).

Design: Prospective study based on normozoospermic individuals.

Setting: Fertility and IVF unit and university unit for research.

Patient(s): Two cohorts of normozoospermic individuals: 21 men (aged 25-35 years) attending a clinic and with clearly adverse female factors; and a group of 12 selected donors (aged 20-25 years).

Intervention(s): SDF assessment using the sperm chromatin the dispersión test (Halosperm) in two cohorts of normozoospermic men.

Main outcome measure(s): SDF assessment after 24 hours of abstinence with recurrent ejaculation (one every 24 hours) using neat sperm samples; and SDF assessment before and after sperm selection with abstinence of 3 hours.

Result(s): Lower baseline levels of SDF were observed after shorter periods of abstinence between ejaculations (24 hours and 3 hours) than those recommended. This effect is much more marked after quick repetitive ejaculation (3 hours of abstinence) and sperm selection.

Conclusion(s): The present results challenge the role of abstinence in current male infertility treatments and suggest that SDF can be efficiently reduced by a biological practice consisting of short-term recurrent ejaculation coupled with effective sperm selection.