Sperm DNA integrity and male infertility: a narrative review and guide for the reproductive physicians.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objective

Conventional semen analysis (SA) remains an essential tool in the initial male fertility evaluation and subsequent follow-up. However, it neither provides information about the functional status of spermatozoa nor addresses disorders such as idiopathic or unexplained infertility (UI). Recently, assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) has been proposed as an extended sperm test that may help overcome these inherent limitations of basic SA. In this review, we aim to: (I) discuss the pathophysiological aspects of SDF, including natural repair mechanisms, causes, and impact on reproductive outcomes; (II) explain different assessment tools of SDF, and describe potential therapeutic options to manage infertile men with high SDF; and (III) analyse the strength

SUBMITTER: Farkouh A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9360512 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature