Authors
Gihan M. Bareh, M.D., Ph.D., Ethan Jacoby, B.A., Peter Binkley, B.S., Tien-cheng “Arthur” Chang, Ph.D., Robert S. Schenken, M.D., Randal D. Robinson, M.D.
Volume 105, Issue 2, Pages 329-336
Abstract
Objective:
To determine whether sperm DNA integrity in normozoospermic male partners plays a role in idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).
Design:
Prospective, cohort study.
Setting:
Academic tertiary care center.
Patient(s):
Group I: 26 male partners of women with unexplained RPL. Group II: 31 normozoospermic males with proven fertility.
Intervention(s):
Semen samples were collected by masturbation after 48–72 hours of abstinence. After liquefaction at room temperature, semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization standards. Only samples with >20 × 106 spermatozoa/mL with at least 50% progressive sperm motility and 30 % normal morphology were selected for the study. DNA fragmentation of the sperm was assessed with TUNEL assay followed by flow cytometric analysis.
Main Outcome Measure(s):
Sperm DNA fragmentation in both groups.
Result(s):
Mean DNA fragmentation (mean ± SD) was significantly more in men with RPL (36.8 ± 5) compared with controls (9.4 ± 2.7).
Conclusion(s):
Sperm DNA fragmentation may play a role in unexplained RPL despite normal semen analysis parameters.
Read the full text at: http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(15)02044-0/fulltext