ASSESSMENT OF SPERM DNA INTEGRITY IN OLIGOZOOSPERMIC INDIVIDUALS REFERRED TO ISFAHAN FERTILITY AND INFERTILITY CENTER: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Oligozoospermia or reduced sperm concentration is often associated with abnormal motility and morphology, reflecting abnormal spermatogenesis in the testes. The sperm DNA integrity plays an important role in embryo development, and fertility. Therefore, we aimed to assess sperm DNA integrity in a population of oligozoospermic and normozoospermic men.

In this cross-sectional study, 967 oligozoospermic samples (sperm count lower than 39 million per ejaculation), and 967 normozoospermic samples according to World Health Organization criteria were included. Sperm DNA damage was assessed by SCSA and TUNEL assays. Statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS version 22 software and a significance level of less than 0.05 was considered.

Mean sperm DNA damage and also DNA stainability were significantly higher in oligozoospermic individuals than them in normozoospermic individuals (Ps<0.001). Unlike semen volume and sperm count which was significantly lower (P<0.001), the mean of sperm abnormal morphology was significantly higher in oligozoospermic men compared to normozoospermic men (P<0.001).

In individuals with oligozoospermia, in addition to the count, morphology and motility of sperm can also be abnormal according to the WHO threshold. Also, sperm DNA damage is significantly high, which can indicate abnormal spermatogenesis and epididymal immaturity. Therefore, depending on the severity of the damage, it is preferable to manage therapeutic interventions, such as drug therapies or assisted reproductive techniques, in order to make the best decisions regarding treatment.