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Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Base Oxidation

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Genetic Damage in Human Spermatozoa

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 791))

Abstract

Sperm DNA damage has been shown to be a valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for male infertility and assisted reproductive treatment (ART) outcome. It is linked to every fertility checkpoint from reduced fertilization rates, lower embryo quality and pregnancy rates to higher rates of spontaneous miscarriage and childhood diseases. It is more robust than conventional semen parameters.

The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of current laboratory tests and relationships between sperm DNA damage and clinical outcomes. The conclusion is that sperm DNA damage is an important indicator of semen quality, and its routine use in the fertility clinic would improve ART success rates.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to Ms Eveline Burns for preparing the manuscript and Mr. Kishlay Kumar for designing the summary diagram.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, Room 0017, Ground Floor, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

    Sheena E. M. Lewis

  2. Institute of Pathology, Grosvenor Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT12 6BJ, UK

    Sheena E. M. Lewis

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  1. Sheena E. M. Lewis
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Correspondence to Sheena E. M. Lewis .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Florence, Italy

    Elisabetta Baldi

  2. Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Florence, Italy

    Monica Muratori

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Lewis, S.E.M. (2014). Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Base Oxidation. In: Baldi, E., Muratori, M. (eds) Genetic Damage in Human Spermatozoa. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 791. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7783-9_7

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