The Effects Of Sperm DNA Damage On Outcomes Of In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer

Objective:sperm DNA is the carrier of genetic information, sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) is an important sign of sperm DNA damage. The study is to explore the effects of sperm DNA damage on outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).Methods:The data including336IVF-ET cycles from January2011to June2012in the Reproductive Institute of the People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University were analyzed.(1)There were267cycles whose ooccyte number were greater than or equal to six, they were analyzed by sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, according to the level of. sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), these cycles were divided into two groups:group A1(DFI<20%)182cycles and group A2(DFI>20%)85cycles. The differences between two groups in normal fertilization rate, cleavage rate, available embryo rate on the third day (D3), blastocyst formation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, embryo implantation rate, primary abortion rate, live birth rate were compared.(2)There were69cycles whose ooccyte number were less than or equal to five, they were analyzed by SCD test, according to the level of sperm DFI, these cycles were divided into two groups:group B1(DFI<20%)45cycles and group B2(DFI>20%)24cycles. The differences between two groups in normal fertilization rate, cleavage rate, available embryo rate on D3, clinical pregnancy rate, embryo implantation rate were compared.Results:(1) the differences between Al and A2in normal fertilization rate, cleavage rate, available embryo rate on D3, clinical pregnancy rate, embryo implantation rate, primary abortion rate, and live birth rate have no statistical significance (P>0.05); however, compared with group A1, blastocyst formation rate was lower in group A2, these differences have statistical significance (P<0.05). (2) the differences between B1and B2in normal fertilization rate, cleavage rate, available embryo rate on D3have no statistical significance (P>0.05); however, compared with group B1, clinical pregnancy rate, embryo implantation rate were lower in group B2, these differences have statistical significance (P<0.05)Conclusions:(1) In IVF-ET cycles with more oocytes, sperm DNA damage only affects blastocyst formation; pregnancy outcomes is not affected.(2) In IVF-ET cycles with less oocytes, sperm DNA damage affects pregnancy outcomes negatively.