Sperm DNA fragmentation – causes, treatment and cost

by Indira IVF Indira IVF Center For IVF, IUI, ICSI Treatment

If not more, then atleast half of the cases of infertility are associated with male factors, contrary to the popular belief of joining infertility with woman. When a semen analysis is done, it measures factors including sperm concentration, its mobility, its morphology and so on. However, the major drawback of this test is that is does not take into account the genetic constitution of the sperm, which is important for healthy embryo development. If there is a high level of DNA damage in the sperm cause major infertility problems in men that conventional form of examinations cannot detect. When a sperm DNA fragmentation occurs, it leads to poor prognosis of the embryo developed through those sperms. It impairs proper development of the egg. This problem is higher in men who are facing problems of infertility. Men with poor parameters of semen are more like to have higher fragmentation of sperm DNA. Sometimes the answer to unexplained fertility lies in this problem only because it cannot be found through conventional methods.

Causes of sperm DNA fragmentation

Sperm DNA fragmentation causes are very complicated and hard to understand in layman terms. The major factor which causes this is the DNA damage done through oxidative stress, which is caused by excessive production of reactive oxygen species. Other factors that may be involved in this are defects in the sperm’s chromatin packaging or its DNA repair mechanisms. Abnormalities in the regulation of cell death also cause this to occur. Some of the major factors included in sperm DNA fragmentation causes are mention below-

• Infection in the body

• High fever and prolonged fever

• Advanced age symptoms

• Excessive obesity

• Poor diet

• Drug use

• Excessive cigarette smoking

• Exposure to environmental pollution and occupational hazards.

Treatment of sperm DNA fragmentation

Normal conventional sperm analysis cannot examine the sperm dna fragmentation problem. Fr this reason, special tests are required that critically examine the DNA formation and genetic composition of the sperm. The result of the test will show how much damaged your sperms are and what integrity they have. Some of the causes of sperm DNA fragmentation cannot be treated. Sperm DNA fragmentation treatment is not conclusive of its non-reoccurrence. If the lifestyle and factors affecting it do not change, it may happen again. If the damage is caused due to oxidative stress, it can be curbed by changing the lifestyle and dietary plans according to the doctor. This cause is mentioned in the test taken for its analysis. Sometimes, antioxidation supplementation is also used to control this problem. Care must be taken that it is not overprescribed. Healthy and fast treatment of infections in the body can also control fragmentation in many cases. Antibiotics also help this cause.

For pregnancy related matters, ICSI is found to be an effective way in cases of sperm DNA fragmentation. It has a positive impact on the level of success rates of pregnancy after such damage. ICSI treatment is not affected by the fragmentation whereas IVF technology is affected by it. Therefore, ICSI is a more promising treatment for couples who wish to have a baby and go through this issue.

Cost of sperm DNA fragmentation treatment

Sperm DNA fragmentation cost mainly depends on the type of treatment that is undertaken. If the issue is with respect to pregnancy related problems, then the cost is likely to go up. ICSI which is the ideal method for pregnancy in this problem is not a very cheap treatment. It offers effectiveness more than any other treatment, and takes time therefore it consumes some money. On the other hand, light handed treatments like dietary plans and managerial treatments may cost very less. The cost of test which diagnoses sperm DNA fragmentation is also not very high in India. it is easily affordable by most people who wish to know the causes of their infertility.

It is very important for a man to take this test which diagnoses sperm DNA fragmentation because it analyses the genetic composition of sperm DNA. What is usually missed by all conventional sperm examinations is caught by this test. It is often the result of unexplained infertility in men. This test is done in all fertility centres almost in India. it is a complicated test, but explains everything that a doctor needs to know to carve out the explanations of fertility related problems in men. It is recommended to all men who are not getting answers to their infertility, and wish to get it treated as soon as possible.