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Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2/2010

01-02-2010 | Original Article

Sperm morphological abnormalities as indicators of DNA fragmentation and fertilization in ICSI

Authors: Barbara Dariš, Aleš Goropevšek, Nina Hojnik, Veljko Vlaisavljević

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 2/2010

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Abstract

Purpose

To determine the relationship between sperm morphological abnormalities, DNA fragmentation and fertilization rate in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Methods

Sperm samples from 20 ICSI cycles were analysed. Morphology was assessed according to strict criteria, and DNA fragmentation was measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated fluorescein-dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) using flow cytometry.

Results

A negative correlation was found between the percentage of spermatozoa with elongated heads and fertilization rate. There was a significant difference in the amount of morphological abnormalities between sperm samples with low and high degree of DNA fragmentation. The percentages of amorphous heads and overall head abnormalities were significantly higher in sperm samples with elevated degree of DNA fragmentation. No correlation was found between sperm DNA fragmentation and fertilization rate.

Conclusions

Head abnormalities, especially amorphous heads, are related to elevated degree of DNA fragmentation. Elongated heads, when detected as predominant abnormal form in sperm samples, may affect fertilization in ICSI.
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Metadata
Title
Sperm morphological abnormalities as indicators of DNA fragmentation and fertilization in ICSI
Authors
Barbara Dariš
Aleš Goropevšek
Nina Hojnik
Veljko Vlaisavljević
Publication date
01-02-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 2/2010
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-009-1140-y

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