ASSESSMENT OF SPERM DNA DAMAGE IN MEN WITH ASTHENOZOOSPERMIA

Asthenozoospermia is an infertility condition in which a person has reduced sperm motility and so, the chance of the sperm fertilizing the egg in the female reproductive tract is reduced. This study aimed to investigate sperm DNA damage using SCSA and TUNEL tests in a large population of infertile men with asthenozoospermia, comparing them with a population of normozoospermic individuals with healthy sperm samples.

In this observational case-control study, semen parameters were assessed according to the World Health Organization guidelines (2010) guideline in a large population of asthenozoospermic (1383) and normozoospermic (2235) men referring to Isfahan Fertility and Sterility Center. In addition, sperm DNA fragmentation were assessed by TUNEL, and SCSA tests. For comparison of study variations between two groups, independent samples t-test was used, and for correlation between parameters, Pearson's correlation coefficient was carried out. P<0.05 was considered significant.

Despite no significant differences in sperm volume and body mass index, the means of sperm concentration, count, total sperm motility and total progressive were significantly lower in the asthenozoospermic men compared to normozoospermic men (P<0.001). In addition, the means of high DNA stainability as well as sperm DNA fragmentation assessed by SCSA and TUNEL tests were significantly higher in asthenozoospermic men compared to normozoospermic men (P<0.001).

In asthenozoospermic men, sperm DNA is severely damaged, so before using assisted reproductive techniques in these individuals, it is better to use antioxidant treatment and/or novel sperm preparation methods for treatment of them.