Evaluation of sperm DNA damage in men from infertile Saudi couples.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sperm DNA quality of the male partner in Saudi infertile couples in order to establish prevalence of sperm DNA damage and to help future identification of responsible etiologies and possible treatments.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of semen analysis and sperm DNA integrity using the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) technique in male partners of infertile couples examined for infertility in a dedicated fertility clinic, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 1, 2009-December 31, 2011.

RESULTS: Reports of semen and SCD analysis of 405 men were reviewed; 384 met the inclusion criteria. Normal semen parameters were demonstrated in 133 (34.6%) male subjects, while 251 (65.4%) had ≥ 1 abnormal semen parameters. Saudi male partners showed increasing level of sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) at 25.4 (range, 5-97). Men with normal semen parameters had a significantly lower DFI (17.5; range, 5-32) than did men with abnormal semen parameters (49; range, 21-97, p < 0.001). DFI > 30% was encountered in 59.1% of the study group. Teratospermia single abnormality was significantly associated with DFI > 30% (p < 0.00007).

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a high percentage of sperm DNA damage in the male partner in Saudi infertile couples, and the damage was more obvious in men with suboptimal semen parameters. Patients with abnormal sperm morphology showed a high rate of DNA fragmentation.