Influence of Sperm Chromatin Immaturity on Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Outcomes

Doaa Ajam, Amal Abdulwahid Mohammed, Muayad Sraibet Abbood

Abstract


Background: Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART), particularly intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), bypass natural selection processes, allowing sperm with low deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity to fertilize eggs, which may adversely affect ICSI outcomes. Routine semen analysis provides limited insight into male reproductive potential, necessitating advanced assessments of sperm chromatin maturity.

Methods: Semen samples were collected from 92 patients after 1–21 days of sexual abstinence. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations were performed according to WHO standards (6th edition, 2021). A detailed questionnaire capturing history and physical examination was used. The relationship between sperm chromatin immaturity (SCI%) and ICSI outcomes, including fertilization rate and embryo quality, was evaluated.

Result: A weak and non-significant negative correlation was observed between SCI% and fertilization rate (CC = -0.051; p = 0.63) and between SCI% and grade 1 embryos (CC = -0.093; p = 0.38). Weak, non-significant positive correlations were found between SCI% and abnormal division (CC = 0.05; p = 0.64). However, a weak positive association was identified between SCI% and grade 2 embryos (CC = 0.242; p = 0.02) and grade 3 embryos (CC = 0.212; p = 0.04). SCI% showed no significant correlation with seminal fluid parameters.

Conclusion: This study concluded that sperm chromatin immaturity (SCI%) does not correlate with seminal fluid parameters but showed no significant correlation with fertilization rate or pregnancy rate and showed weak associations with some embryo grades.

Keywords:

DNA fragmentation, Sperm chromatin immaturity, Male infertility, Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), Embryo quality

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.62940/als.v13i1.2406

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