Sperm DNA damage measured by the alkaline Comet assay as an independent predictor of male infertility and in vitro fertilization success.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sperm DNA fragmentation and semen parameters to diagnose male factor infertility and predict pregnancy after IVF.

DESIGN: Prospective study.

SETTING: Academic research laboratory.

PATIENT(S): Seventy-five couples undergoing IVF and 28 fertile donors.

INTERVENTION(S): Sperm DNA fragmentation was measured by the alkaline Comet assay in semen and sperm after density gradient centrifugation (DGC). Binary logistic regression was used to analyze odds ratios (OR) and relative risks (RR) for IVF outcomes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation in semen and DGC sperm compared with fertilization rates, embryo quality, and pregnancy.

RESULT(S): Men with sperm DNA fragmentation at more than a diagnostic threshold of 25% had a high risk of infertility (OR: 117.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.72-2,731.84, RR: 8.75). Fertilization rates and embryo quality decreased as sperm DNA fragmentation increased in semen and DGC sperm. The risk of failure to achieve a pregnancy increased when sperm DNA fragmentation exceeded a prognostic threshold value of 52% for semen (OR: 76.00, CI: 8.69-1,714.44, RR: 4.75) and 42% for DGC sperm (OR: 24.18, CI: 2.89-522.34, RR: 2.16).

CONCLUSION(S): Sperm DNA testing by the alkaline Comet assay is useful for both diagnosis of male factor infertility and prediction of IVF outcome.