Changes in the Level of DNA Fragmentation in Sperm Cells detected by Acridine Orange Test in Men with Sub/infertility Treated with Nutritional Supplement PAPA

Abstract

Background: When diagnosing and treating male infertility it is important to determine whether there are defects in the maturation process of sperm nuclei. Using nutritional supplements can improve the morphological and physiological condition of the spermatozoa. In recent years there has been an increase in the usage of supplements with different compositions which strives to determine the best combination and avoid side effects.

Aim: To study the effect of PAPA nutritional supplement on the levels of DNA fragmentation of sperm cells tested with acridine orange test (single stranded DNA against double stranded DNA) in men with sub/infertility.

Materials and methods: 48 men with confirmed sub/infertility underwent treatment for three months with nutritional supplement PAPA containing 9 micronutrients. The differences in levels of DNA fragmentation were determined with acridine orange test, which was conducted before and after the treatment.

Results: The results were statistically significant (p<0.001) showing an increase in the number of green spermatozoa (normal DNA), and a decrease of damaged ones (orange and red). After treatment the level of sperm DNA fragmentation decreased by 10.2%.

Conclusion: Men with confirmed sub/infertility that took nutritional supplement PAPA for three moths showed a decrease in DNA fragmentation levels of 10.2% determined by AO test which implies an improvement of male fertility levels.

Keywords: DNA fragmentation; nutritional supplement; Acridine Orange; PAPA; human sperm.