Sperm processing by swim-up and density gradient is effective in elimination of sperm with DNA damage

• Published in: Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics Vol. 29; no. 6; pp. 557 - 563
• Main Authors: Jayaraman, Varshini, Upadhya, Dinesh, Narayan, Pratap Kumar, Adiga, Satish Kumar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.06.2012; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide; Centrifugation, Density Gradient - methods; Centrifuges; Chromatin; Density gradients; DNA Damage; Gynecology; Human Genetics; Humans; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Infertility; Infertility, Male - pathology; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Morphology; Motility; Oligospermia - genetics; Oligozoospermia; Performance evaluation; Pregnancy; Reference Values; Reproductive Medicine; Semen; Semen - cytology; Sperm; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility - genetics; Spermatozoa - cytology; Spermatozoa - physiology; Technical Innovations; United States > US; Sperm selection; Density gradient; Semen preparation; Sperm DNA damage; Swim-up
• ISSN: 1058-0468; 1573-7330; 1573-7330
• DOI: 10.1007/s10815-012-9742-x

Purpose DNA damage may occur during sperm processing, thereby negatively influencing fertilizing ability of the sperm. The present study was designed to compare the effectiveness of gradient and swim-up, either alone or in combination, to eliminate sperm with DNA damage. Methods A total of 51 subjects visiting the University infertility clinic with normozoospermic parameters, oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia were included. Semen characteristics were analysed by standard criteria; Terminal deoxy nucelotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay was employed for DNA damage assessment. Results The percentage of TUNEL positive sperm after sperm processing was significantly lower in normozoospermic ( P  < 0.05), oligozoospermic ( P  < 0.001) and teratozoospermic samples ( P  < 0.01). No difference was observed in the incidence of TUNEL positive sperm between the various techniques, suggesting that they are comparable. Conclusions Sperm preparation has been found to result in enrichment of sperm with intact chromatin, which is likely to improve the chances of achieving a viable pregnancy.