Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Male Fertility

Sperm DNA fragmentation refers to the presence of breaks in the genetic material of sperm cells. This type of seminal alteration is not assessed in a basic semen analysis; instead, a complementary test is required to analyze the levels of fragmentation.

In assisted reproductive techniques, high sperm DNA fragmentation can impact outcomes such as:

• Lower fertilization rate.
• Poorer embryo quality.
• Lower implantation rate.
• Higher miscarriage rate.

However, due to the lack of consistency across studies, which prevents drawing definitive conclusions, this relationship remains controversial.