Sperm DNA Fragmentation-Essential Things To Keep In Mind

With the help of sperm DNA fragmentation, a doctor gets able to provide information about whether there is any DNA damage to be found in the sperm of a patient. Having a check-up sometimes become crucial because if there is major damage, there can be difficulties to conceive a child.

Talking about human sperm chromatin structure, germ cells are responsible for arbitrating the transfer of genetic information from generation to generation. Due to this fact, they are essential for the maintenance of life. There is a continuous and precisely controlled process known as spermatogenesis that contains enormously marked genetic, cellular and chromatin transformations resulting in a generation of highly specialized sperm cells. Spermatogonial stem cells repeat and distinguish into primary spermatocytes which undergo genetic recombination to give rise to round haploid spermatids.

It then undergoes a differentiation process known as spermiogenesis where marked epigenetic, cellular and chromatic remodeling takes place. After that histones gets removed and nucleosome are disassembled and replaced by high positively charged protamines figuring tight toroidal complexes and arranging more than 80% of human sperm DNA.

Damage in the DNA can increase as the age progresses. If a man has been entered in his 50s or 60s, there are more chances of sperm fragmentation as compared to those who are 20 or 25. There can be some other causes of sperm DNA fragmentation like exposure to different toxic or chemical agents, chemotherapy, chronic infections in the prostate, excessive heat, radiation, and smoking. There can be some contributing causes like obesity, varicocele, poor diet, an illness which produce high fevers, increased testicular temperature, etc.

Many people generally think that miscarriage is exclusively a female problem, with management an investigation targeting only women. You need to know that there is a role of sperm DNA damage in miscarriage. It is because while most types of cells are able to fix the damaged DNA, an ability of sperm loses during development and has to rely on repair mechanisms in the egg. As the damage level in the sperm DNA increases, it also becomes more likely that any repairs by the egg can generate genetic mutations that could increase miscarriage risks.

The sperm DNA fragmentation cost  varies from 7 to about 8 thousand rupees. The cost will be depended on various locations as well as laboratory. A sample of semen will be taken and it will be delivered for testing at sperm DNA fragmentation center. There are different tests like comet test, tunnel test and light microscope based SCD test. 

In a sperm fragmentation test, the practitioner tries to look at the cells to examine what percentage of the sperm contains fragmentation or damage. It has been said that less than 15 percent can still provide a good result. If it is 16 to 29, some pretty good chances can be expected. But when the stat crosses more than 30 percent of fragmentation, there can be hardships in getting and maintaining a healthy pregnancy, even if a couple is advancing towards IVF.

This type of test doesn't check for things like motility, number, size, and shape of sperm. Even if such things are looking like normal, there can be chances of damage in the DNA. But semen quality is often implemented as an indirect measure of male infertility. Sperm concentration, morphology, motility and ejaculate volume are considered as one of the most vital parameters evaluated in infertility centers as part of custom semen analysis. Talking about the genetic composition among newborn, it is the results of sperm DNA information as well as oocyte and it must be unharmed for further fetal and embryo development which will result in a healthy offspring.  

Possibility of reducing sperm DNA fragmentation is possible in some cases. But it will depend on the cause, like the surgical repair of large varicocele can contribute towards improving the integrity of DNA as can treat infections with the help of suitable antibiotic therapy. You need to understand that healthy transformations in lifestyle changes can prove to be very helpful like quit smoking or follow a healthful diet. Try to involve vegetables and fruits in your meal that are rich in antioxidants and will assist to combat oxidative stress. Even a person is overweight, there must be an attempt in reducing the weight as obesity has a connection with sperm DNA fragmentation. There can be a hope of minimizing the damage with the help of antioxidant vitamins.

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