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Sperm morphological abnormalities as indicators of DNA fragmentation and fertilization in ICSI

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Abstract

Purpose

To determine the relationship between sperm morphological abnormalities, DNA fragmentation and fertilization rate in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Methods

Sperm samples from 20 ICSI cycles were analysed. Morphology was assessed according to strict criteria, and DNA fragmentation was measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated fluorescein-dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) using flow cytometry.

Results

A negative correlation was found between the percentage of spermatozoa with elongated heads and fertilization rate. There was a significant difference in the amount of morphological abnormalities between sperm samples with low and high degree of DNA fragmentation. The percentages of amorphous heads and overall head abnormalities were significantly higher in sperm samples with elevated degree of DNA fragmentation. No correlation was found between sperm DNA fragmentation and fertilization rate.

Conclusions

Head abnormalities, especially amorphous heads, are related to elevated degree of DNA fragmentation. Elongated heads, when detected as predominant abnormal form in sperm samples, may affect fertilization in ICSI.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Medical Faculty, University of Maribor, Slomškov trg 15, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia

    Barbara Dariš

  2. Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, University Clinical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia

    Aleš Goropevšek

  3. Department of Reproductive Medicine and Gynecologic Endocrinology, University Clinical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia

    Barbara Dariš, Nina Hojnik & Veljko Vlaisavljević

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  1. Barbara Dariš
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  2. Aleš Goropevšek
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  3. Nina Hojnik
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  4. Veljko Vlaisavljević
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Correspondence to Barbara Dariš.

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Dariš, B., Goropevšek, A., Hojnik, N. et al. Sperm morphological abnormalities as indicators of DNA fragmentation and fertilization in ICSI. Arch Gynecol Obstet 281, 363–367 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-009-1140-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-009-1140-y

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