Chromatin fluorescence characteristics and standard semen analysis parameters: correlations observed in andrology testing among 136 males referred for infertility evaluation

Abstract

This paper aims to describe the relation between standard semen analysis parameters (concentration, motility and morphology) and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) results among patients referred for infertility evaluation. Healthy males (n = 136) seeking infertility consultation were evaluated prospectively by semen analysis and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). Significant inverse correlations were observed between high sperm concentration and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and high DNA stainability (HDS) (r =− 0.45; P < 0.001, and r =− 0.40; P < 0.001, respectively). Both progressive motility and normal morphology were also strongly inversely correlated with DFI and HDS. However, in stratified analysis the correlation between concentration ⩽ 20 M/ml and DFI, and concentration ⩽ 20 M/ml and HDS were not significant (P = 0.31 and 0.38, respectively). For men with sperm motility ⩽ 40% the correlation between motility and HDS was not significant (P = 0.22), but between motility and DFI the correlation remained significant (P = 0.04). Although strong correlations between DFI, HDS and semen analysis findings were noted in the overall study population, when oligozoospermic and asthenozoospermic patients were analysed separately the correlation between concentration and sperm chromatin fragmentation was not significant. For such men, SCSA appears to be a diagnostic variable independent of the semen analysis, providing information about nuclear abnormalities not readily apparent from standard semen analysis alone. Additionally, SCSA data may offer explanations for previous miscarriage, providing closure for some couples contemplating future use of anonymous donor sperm.