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