Sperm DNA Damage

Sperm genetics, as valuable as a woman's egg, can prevent pregnancy if damaged or defective. Sperm analysis in men can provide information about structural or numerical abnormalities, genetic mutations, or the complete absence of sperm in the semen. However, these analyses do not provide information about the structure of DNA. To obtain information about DNA damage in sperm, a sperm DNA damage test can be performed to identify breaks in the DNA strand. In men with high levels of DNA damage, there is a correlation between impaired fertilization, embryo development, and embryo quality in IVF treatments, as well as miscarriages experienced by prospective mothers.

What causes sperm DNA damage?

Unhealthy lifestyle factors are among the leading causes of sperm DNA damage. Smoking, excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption, advanced age, a history of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, radiation exposure, infections, certain medications, toxic chemicals and pesticides, prolonged abstinence from sexual intercourse, lack of ejaculation, living in polluted air, prolonged computer use, and continuous work in hot environments can all cause sperm DNA damage. In addition to these factors, incomplete maturation of sperm during production or incorrect/incomplete regulation of proteins can also cause breaks in the DNA strand, leading to sperm DNA damage.
Sperm DNA damage testing can be applied in cases of unexplained infertility, in couples with slow embryo development, in cases of recurrent in-vitro fertilization (IVF/ICSI) failure, in cases of recurrent miscarriages, and in patients with abnormal embryo development.

Treatment of Sperm DNA Damage

Some causes of sperm DNA damage are incurable, but if the cause is free radicals, treatment approaches aimed at reducing DNA damage levels can be applied. For example, lifestyle and dietary changes can help reduce DNA damage. However, if an infection is present, antibiotic use, reducing or quitting smoking and alcohol consumption, consuming foods rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, varicocele treatment, vitamin E supplementation, testicular sperm aspiration, clomiphene citrate, and antioxidant therapy are among the treatment methods aimed at reducing sperm DNA damage. These methods, if available, increase the chances of having a baby by using undamaged sperm.