ASRM ABSTRACTS: Male partner DNA damage associated with unexplained infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss

This is one of a series of news items from abstracts of studies presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine as complied by Dr. David Meldrum, former partner and Scientific Director of Reproductive Partners. We appreciate the enormous amount of work it takes to compile and comment on these abstracts.


In an abstract reported at the 2013 ASRM meeting, compared with fertile controls, male partners of women with unexplained
infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss had increased DNA damage-7.3% (fertile controls) vs 20 (unexplained) and 30% (recurrent loss).

This is something that is not usually even looked at in couples with the diagnosis of unexplained infertility or recurrent miscarriage. It is more frequently done after several IVF failures for no other apparent reason. There are a number of tests to check for DNA fragmentation or damage including the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA). The shame of not detecting this problem is if it is suspected and confirmed there is some treatment to try to reverse it.

These men would benefit from antioxidants, sperm density gradient, IUI and frequent ejaculation during the several days preceding the fertilizing specimen. Measuring DNA fragmentation would identify those males with high levels, adding emphasis to those recommendations. In such men who have failed IVF and high levels persist, a testicular sample can be considered through testicular biopsy (TESE) where the sperm are retrieved before they mature and the DNA can fragment in the maturation process.

For more information on antioxidants please check our Lifestyle and Fertility page and the link to Dr. Meldrum’s lifechoicesandfertility.com website.