Sperm DNA Fragmentation: Consequences for Reproduction

Luke Simon; Benjamin Emery; Douglas T Carrell

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-21664-1_6

Sperm DNA Fragmentation: Consequences for Reproduction

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2019:1166:87-105. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-21664-1_6.

Authors

Luke Simon¹, Benjamin Emery¹, Douglas T Carrell²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
² Andrology and IVF Laboratories, Department of Surgery, and Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. douglas.carrell@hsc.utah.edu.

PMID: 31301048
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-21664-1_6

Abstract

DNA fragmentation, or the accumulation of single- and double-strand DNA breaks, is a common property of sperm, and an increase in the level of sperm DNA fragmentation is known to influence natural reproduction. The effect of sperm DNA fragmentation on male infertility and assisted reproductive treatment (ART) outcomes remains controversial and is one of the most frequently debated topics of reproductive medicine. For the past 30 years, a number of assays have been developed to quantify the level of sperm DNA fragmentation. In this chapter, we review the causes of sperm DNA fragmentation, describe the commonly used tests to evaluate these abnormalities, and perform a systematic review of existing studies to determine the impact of sperm DNA fragmentation on male fertility and ART outcomes.

Keywords: ART outcomes; Comet assay; Male infertility; SCD assay; SCSA; Sperm DNA fragmentation; TUNEL assay.

Publication types

Systematic Review

MeSH terms

DNA Fragmentation*
Female
Humans
Infertility, Male*
Male
Reproduction* / genetics
Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
Spermatozoa* / pathology
Treatment Outcome