Relationship between sperm aneuploidy, sperm DNA integrity, chromatin packaging, traditional semen parameters, and recurrent pregnancy loss

Abstract

Objective: To study the possible relationship between sperm aneuploidy, sperm DNA integrity, chromatin packaging, traditional semen parameters, and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).

Design: Descriptive study.

Setting: University-affiliated tertiary teaching.

Patient(s): A total of 22 couples with history of RPL and 20 fertile men.

Intervention(s): Semen samples from case and control men were examined for differences in semen parameters, DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation, and sperm aneuploidy.

Main outcome measure(s): Sperm DNA and chromatin integrity and sperm aneuploidy.

Result(s): Sperm progressive motility (30.2% vs. 51.5%) was significantly lower and abnormal morphology (74.8% vs. 54.2%) was significantly higher in the RPL group versus the control group, respectively. The percentage of fragmented DNA was significantly increased in the RPL group (17.1% vs. 10.2%) as well as the rate of spermatozoa with nuclear chromatin decondensation (23.6% vs. 11.8%). There was a significantly higher sperm aneuploidy rate among the RPL group as well.

Conclusion(s): The increase in abnormal sperm parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation, nuclear chromatin decondensation, and sperm aneuploidy suggest possible causes of unexplained RPL.

Keywords: DNA damage; Spermatozoa; aneuploidy; pregnancy loss.