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Is sperm dna damage associated with IVF embryo quality? A systematic review

  • Gamete Biology
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Sperm DNA damage is common amongst infertile men and may adversely impact natural reproduction, IUI-assisted reproduction and to a lesser degree IVF pregnancy. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of sperm DNA damage on embryo quality and/or development at IVF and ICSI.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of studies that evaluated sperm DNA damage and embryo development and/or quality after IVF and/or ICSI.

Results

We identified 28 studies (8 IVF, 12 ICSI and 8 mixed IVF-ICSI studies) that evaluated the relationship between sperm DNA damage and embryo quality. These 28 studies evaluated 3226 treatment cycles (1033 IVF and 873 ICSI, 1320 mixed IVF-ICSI cycles) and demonstrated highly variable characteristics. In 11 of the 28 studies (1/8 IVF, 5/12 ICSI and 5/8 mixed IVF-ICSI studies), sperm DNA damage was associated with poor embryo quality and/or development, whereas the remaining 17 studies showed no relationship between sperm DNA damage and embryo quality and/or development.

Conclusions

This systematic review indicates that the evaluable studies are heterogeneous and that overall, there is no consistent relationship between sperm DNA damage and embryo quality and/or development. The data also suggest that the influence of sperm DNA damage on embryo quality/development may be more significant in ICSI compared to IVF cycles.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Armand Zini & Naif Al-Hathal

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Wael Jamal

  3. OVO Fertility Clinic, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Wael Jamal

  4. The Victoria Fertility Centre, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

    Lisa Cowan

  5. St. Mary’s Hospital, 3830 Lacombe Ave., Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3T 1M5

    Armand Zini

Authors
  1. Armand Zini
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  2. Wael Jamal
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  3. Lisa Cowan
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  4. Naif Al-Hathal
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Correspondence to Armand Zini.

Additional information

Capsule Current studies suggest that there is no consistent relationship between sperm DNA damage and embryo quality and/or development after IVF or ICSI.

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Zini, A., Jamal, W., Cowan, L. et al. Is sperm dna damage associated with IVF embryo quality? A systematic review. J Assist Reprod Genet 28, 391–397 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9544-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9544-6

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