Increased sperm DNA damage in partners of women with unexplained recurrent miscarriages: preliminary report

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of our study were to (I) investigate the level of sperm DNA damage in partners of patients with unexplained recurrent miscarriages and compare them with fertile controls (ii) attempt to correlate sperm DNA damage with gestational age of miscarriages.Design: Prospective observational study in a teaching hospital setting.10 male partners of women attending the recurrent miscarriage clinic were recruited.Controls consisted of 5 volunteers with proven fertility and 2 sperm donors.Materials/Methods: Standard semen analysis(WHO, 1992) was performed in all patients (n=10) and controls(n=7). Sperm DNA damage was assessed using the single cell gel electrophoresis (modified comet assay). Comet moment was used to measure the level of sperm DNA damage. SPSS package(version 11.01) was used for statistical analysis.Results: Significantly increased levels of sperm DNA damage was detected in partners of patients with unexplained recurrent miscarriage compared to controls (p <0.032). The level of sperm DNA damage(comet moment) was found to correlate significantly with the number of early miscarriages (anembryonic and less than eight weeks gestation miscarriages);(r=0.788;p <0.008). A significant correlation between sperm morphology by strict criteria with early miscarriages was also detected(r=0.89;p <0.001).Conclusions: Male partners of patients suffering from unexplained recurrent miscarriages have significantly higher sperm DNA damage than controls and the level of DNA damage may be more significant in women who suffer from recurrent early miscarriages.Supported by: Central Sheffield University Hospital Trust, Sheffield, UK. Objective: The objectives of our study were to (I) investigate the level of sperm DNA damage in partners of patients with unexplained recurrent miscarriages and compare them with fertile controls (ii) attempt to correlate sperm DNA damage with gestational age of miscarriages. Design: Prospective observational study in a teaching hospital setting.10 male partners of women attending the recurrent miscarriage clinic were recruited.Controls consisted of 5 volunteers with proven fertility and 2 sperm donors. Materials/Methods: Standard semen analysis(WHO, 1992) was performed in all patients (n=10) and controls(n=7). Sperm DNA damage was assessed using the single cell gel electrophoresis (modified comet assay). Comet moment was used to measure the level of sperm DNA damage. SPSS package(version 11.01) was used for statistical analysis. Results: Significantly increased levels of sperm DNA damage was detected in partners of patients with unexplained recurrent miscarriage compared to controls (p <0.032). The level of sperm DNA damage(comet moment) was found to correlate significantly with the number of early miscarriages (anembryonic and less than eight weeks gestation miscarriages);(r=0.788;p <0.008). A significant correlation between sperm morphology by strict criteria with early miscarriages was also detected(r=0.89;p <0.001). Conclusions: Male partners of patients suffering from unexplained recurrent miscarriages have significantly higher sperm DNA damage than controls and the level of DNA damage may be more significant in women who suffer from recurrent early miscarriages. Supported by: Central Sheffield University Hospital Trust, Sheffield, UK.