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Sperm DNA Fragmentation and fertility

Sperm DNA fragmentation can affect the development and growth of the embryo, increasing the risk of miscarriage. Considered an important factor affecting male infertility, it is seldom tested.



Background

The sperm can be divided into three functionally distinct sections; the head, the body and the tail. The body contains the mitochondria which supplies the energy the tail needs to move. The tail propels the sperm to the egg and helps it penetrate the egg. The head of the sperm contains the DNA and when combined with the egg's DNA, an embryo is created.

 

Due to internal and/or external causes, the DNA strands of the sperm can be damaged. Known as sperm DNA fragmentation is when the DNA held inside the sperm head is broken or segmented into pieces. This can make conception very difficult and if conception is achieved, there is an increased chance of miscarriage.



Introduction

There are several environmental and lifestyle factors that have been found to have a negative impact on sperm DNA. According to a study published in 2023 by Frontiers in Endocrinology, tobacco smoking is considered among the most significant lifestyle factors affecting male reproductive function, including sperm DNA fragmentation. The study concluded by saying that:

In smokers, who smoked more than 10 cigarettes a day, we observed reduced semen volume, total sperm count, sperm concentration, progressive motility, seminal zinc levels, and increased sperm DNA fragmentation”.

 

The effect of mobile phone radiation on male fertility has been investigated for several years. In 2014 the Central European Journal of Urology designed a study aimed to understand the direct influence of mobile phone radiation on sperm quality. In the  study, half the semen of 32 young healthy men was placed in group A and and the other half of the semen in group B. The semen in group A was left alone, while a cell phone was placed 3 inches from the semen in group B. After 5 hours the sperm in group B had a significantly higher DNA fragmentation than group A. The study concluded by saying:

A correlation exists between mobile phone radiation exposure, DNA–fragmentation level and decreased sperm motility”.

 

Sperm DNA fragmentation is one of the leading causes of male infertility. Unfortunately, it cannot be diagnosed from a simple sperm test where volume, concentration, motility, morphology, pH, etc. are measured, and as a result, sperm DNA fragmentation is not tested as often as it should.



Nutrition and Sperm DNA Fragmentation

A study, that became known as the “Fertinut Study”, set out to prove the hypothesis that the consumption of a Western-style diet was one potential cause for the quality decline of human sperm. The randomized, controlled, parallel trial which was published in 2018 by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ran for 14 weeks. A total of 119 healthy men (18 – 35) were allocated to 1 of 2 intervention groups: The “nut” group was fed the usual Western-style diet enriched with 60 g of a mixture of nuts. The control group was fed the usual Western-style diet avoiding nuts. Semen and blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of the intervention. At the end of 14 weeks the study concluded that:

The inclusion of nuts in a Western-style diet significantly improves the total sperm count and the vitality, motility, and morphology of the sperm. These findings could be partly explained by a reduction in the sperm DNA fragmentation”.


Sperm DNA Fragmentation and TCM

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used for thousands of years to improve male and female fertility. Several studies have shown the safety and effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas in the treatment of infertility. A study published in 2022 by Medical Acupuncture looked at sperm DNA fragmentation and the use of electro-acupuncture. The study concluded that:

This case illustrated that electro-acupuncture therapy for idiopathic male infertility has an effect toward improvement of the spermiogram test result, DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI), and success in achieving a pregnancy”.


Conclusion

DNA fragmentation, which refers to damage of the genetic material of the sperm, is considered one of the main causes of male infertility. The gold standard for attempting to identify and evaluate male infertility looks at a set of very important parameters (sperm motility, morphology, liquefaction time, seminal volume, sperm concentration, and sperm motility). Unfortunately, it does not include sperm DNA fragmentation. An Advance Semen Analysis, which includes DNA fragmentation, needs to be requested by the patient. Diet, as shown by several studies, can improve sperm quality – including the reduction of sperm DNA fragmentation. In addition, TCM has been shown to be effective in reducing sperm DNA fragmentation.

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