The DNA fragmentation test is a diagnostic technique for determining sperm quality by evaluating the amount of DNA damage inside sperm cells. This test is very important in infertility therapies because sperm DNA fragmentation can impair the capacity of sperm to effectively fertilize an egg and result in a healthy baby.
Purpose
DNA fragmentation test is a tool to check the sperm DNA integrity. This test quantifies the amount of DNA damage in sperm cells - as a way to determine potential fertility inhibitors and pregnancy failures. The Liquid Sperm DNA test provides most diagnostic insights in cases of unexplained infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss or failed IVF cycles where traditional sperm analysis have not been able to identify issues. In conclusion, DNA fragmentation has a significant role in determining sperm quality and can be used to direct the best course of care for an improvement in fertilisation rates.
Parameters Assessed
- Semen Sample Collection: The male partner provided with a sterile container, ejaculates by masturbation and provides the semen sample.
- Laboratory Analysis: Processing the semen sample in a lab using techniques like sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) or TUNEL manera before taking platen of that. These techniques center only around the intensity of DNA sectioning in sperm.
- Interpretation of Results: the laboratory will then give a report that shows how much DNA fragmentation is there. That can be a sign of fertility issues and could even hurt the success of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Factors Affecting DNA Fragmentation Test
- Lifestyle : Smoking, excessive alcohol and an unhealthy diet can result in raised DNA fragmentation. Hence, lifestyle changes may lead to a reduction in sperm DNA damage.
- Exposure to Environmental Toxins : Pesticides, Heavy Metals and Radiation can cause DNA damage in sperm.
- Medical Illnesses : Various long-term health conditions, such as infections, varicocele (swelling of veins in the scrotum), and other medical illnesses can cause poor-quality sperm with high DNA fragmentation rates.
- Advanced Age : The more elderly one is, the longer genes are under attack from deoxygenation as mitochondrial functions change.