The association between sperm DNA fragmentation and reproductive outcomes following intrauterine insemination, a meta analysis

Abstract

Sperm DNA fragmentation has been suggested as a predictor of pregnancy of intrauterine insemination (IUI), but the controversy still exists. Then a meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the association between sperm DNA fragmentation and reproductive outcomes. A total of 10 articles retrieved from the databases of PUBMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE and WANFANG were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated that high sperm DNA fragmentation was significantly associated with lower pregnancy rate (RR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.22-0.52; P < 0.001) and deliveries rate of IUI(RR 0.14, 95% CI:0.04-0.56, P < 0.001). In addition, there was no evidence of publication bias, as suggested by funnel plot, Begg's and Egger's tests. The present meta-analysis indicated that high sperm DNA fragmentation was associated with poor reproductive outcomes of couples undergoing IUI.

Keywords: IUI; Meta-analysis; Pregnancy; Sperm DNA fragmentation.