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Predictive value of DNA integrity analysis in idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss following spontaneous conception

  • ASSISTED REPRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Standard semen parameters are poor predictors of fertility potential. To date, apart from, paternal karyotyping sperm factors are not evaluated in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), only recent studies have emphasized the role of sperm factors in early embryonic development as sperm transcribes genes critical for early embryonic development. Sperm DNA integrity is useful diagnostic and prognostic marker and has clinical implications in idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (iRPL) following spontaneous conception. The aim of this study was to assess DNA integrity in cases experiencing iRPL following spontaneous conception.

Methods

Semen samples from 45 patients and 20 controls were analyzed as per WHO 1999 guidelines and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) was used to measure DNA fragmentation index (DFI).

Results

By applying receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis, sperm DFI of approximately 26 % was found in male partner of couples experiencing iRPL.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that sperm from men with a history of iRPL have a higher percentage of DNA damage as compared to control group, and this can explain pregnancy loss in these patients. Men with higher DFI are infertile whereas men with lower DFI (26 %) are able to conceive but experience recurrent pregnancy loss. Thus it is important to evaluate sperm DFI in couples experiencing iRPL to understand exact aetiology of RPL and determine prognosis and management.

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Acknowledgment

The grant and support from Department of Biotechnology (BT/PR13558/MED/30/282/2010) is highly acknowledged.

Declaration of conflicting interests

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interests with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 29, India

    Kishlay Kumar & Rima Dada

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

    Deepika Deka & B. R. Vanitha

  3. Department of Transplant Immunology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

    Amar Singh & D. K. Mitra

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  1. Kishlay Kumar
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  2. Deepika Deka
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  3. Amar Singh
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  4. D. K. Mitra
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  5. B. R. Vanitha
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  6. Rima Dada
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Correspondence to Rima Dada.

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Capsule

Recurrent pregnancy loss affects 3-5% of couples and the aetiology is not known in about 40% of cases. Despite comprehensive analysis of all female factors leading to this condition, the male factor is ignored especially in cases conceived spontaneously. In this article we emphasized role of sperm DNA integrity in etiology of this condition and how it can impact management.

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Kumar, K., Deka, D., Singh, A. et al. Predictive value of DNA integrity analysis in idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss following spontaneous conception. J Assist Reprod Genet 29, 861–867 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-012-9801-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-012-9801-3

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