Intra-individual Changes in Sperm DNA Fragmentation Levels over Short and Long Time Periods

Overview

Journal J Assist Reprod Genet

Publisher Springer

Specialties Genetics
Reproductive Medicine

Date 2023 Jul 26

PMID 37495897

Authors

Gilad Karavani

Mohamed S Kattan

Susan Lau

Kirk C Lo

Ethan D Grober

Bader Akroof

Katherine Lajkosz

Brendan Mullen

Keith Jarvi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to examine the longitudinal, intra-personal changes in DNA fragmentation index (DFI) over time.

Methods: Men who performed at least two DFI measurements (using sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) between 2003 and 2019 were included in this study and allocated to groups by time between DFI tests: < 1 year, 1-3 years, 3-5 years, and > 5 years. An analysis of DFI change over time according to age groups was additionally performed. Regression models were developed to predict changes in DFI with time.

Results: Overall, 225 patients had two or more DFI measurements done at least a month apart (mean of 586.7± 710.0 days). The < 1 year (n = 124) and 1-3 years (n = 68) groups demonstrated decreased DFI levels, while an increase in DFI was shown in 3-5 years (n = 21) and more than 5 years (n = 12) groups - 7.1 ± 14.9%, - 4.5 ± 13.4%, + 3.2 ± 8.4%, and + 10.8 ± 18.0%, respectively, p < 0.001). This trend was similarly shown in age subgroups of under 40 years and 40-50 years at baseline DFI. Linear regression models showed that the factors predictive of DFI increase are baseline DFI and > 3 years between DFI tests.

Conclusion: This study shows that DFI, in men being investigated for infertility, initially decreases in the first 3 years of follow-up, and then increases over time with the highest increase occurring after 5 years interval (an average increase of 10.8%). Testing infertile men's DFI levels at first evaluation may contribute to personalized consult regarding future reproductive outcomes.

Citing Articles

Changes in Sperm Parameters with Time in Men with Normal and Abnormal Baseline Semen Analysis.

Cohen N, Ben-Meir A, Harlap T, Imbar T, Karavani G Reprod Sci. 2024; 31(6):1712-1718.

PMID: 38424405 PMC: 11111536. DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01475-1.

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