Impact of Paternal Genome with a High DNA Fragmentation Index (>60%) on Early Embryonic Development

Abstract

: Objectives: The objective of this study is to propose thresholds of the sperm DNA fragmentation rate (IFA≤30% IFA31%-60% IFA>60%), in order to assess the clinical effects of the paternal genome on intra cytoplasmic sperm injection parameters, in particular the effect of the latter on early embryonic development. Materials and Methods: The procedure is a retrospective study, which involved 101 patients enrolled in an ICSI program with their partners. The index of spermatic DNA fragmentation rate was measured using the Sperm Chromatin Dispersion assay. Results: There is a negative correlation between high levels of the spermatic DNA fragmentation index and spermiological characteristics: Concentration P=0.002 and mobility P=0.0001. For ICSI results, there are different observations on the existence of a correlation between the spermatic DNA fragmentation index and fertility rate. On the other hand, the rate of sperm DNA fragmentation does not seem to influence early embryonic development, and even couples whose partners have a high fragmentation index manage to obtain the best quality embryos (P=0.002). We observe a decrease in the rate of implantation with an increase in the rate of alteration of the sperm genome, but this remains insignificant P > 0.05. Conclusion: ICSI remains the only alternative for men with a high rate of sperm DNA fragmentation. Moreover, the operator seems to influence the results more than is suggested. This does not exclude the paternal effect which may influence the quality of the concepltus later on. Keywords: DNA Fragmentation Index, ICSI, Fertilization Rate, Embryos Quality.