Sperm Chromatin Dispersion Test Detects Sperm DNA Fragmentation Mainly Associated with Unviable Spermatozoa and Underestimates the Values with Respect to TUNEL Assay.

Several clinical laboratories assess sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) in addition to semen analysis in male infertility diagnosis. Among tests evaluating sDF, TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) and SCD (Sperm Chromatin Dispersion) are widely used. Our lab developed a modified version of TUNEL (TUNEL/PI) able to distinguish two sperm populations (PI Brighter and PI Dimmer) differently associated with sperm viability and reproductive outcomes.

Severe sperm DNA fragmentation may persist for up to 3 years after cytotoxic therapy in patients affected by Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Study Question: Does sperm DNA recover from damage in all men after 2 years from the end of cytotoxic treatments?

Summary Answer: The current indication of 2 years waiting time for seeking natural pregnancy after cytotoxic treatment may not be adequate for all men, since severe sperm DNA damage is present in a proportion of subjects even after this timeframe.

What Is Known Already: Data in the literature on sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in lymphoma patients after cytotoxic treatments are scarce. The largest longitudinal study evaluated paired pre- and post-therapy (up to 24 months) semen samples from 34 patients while one study performed a longer follow-up (36 months) in 10 patients.

Semen Cryopreservation for Men Banking for Oligozoospermia, Cancers, and Other Conditions: 24 Years' Experience of an Italian Bank.

Background: Sperm cryopreservation is recommended to preserve male fertility for cancer patients or other medical conditions at risk of sperm decline. Whether motility and viability recovery rates vary depending on the medical conditions requiring cryopreservation is poorly known. We report here on the 24-year experience of our semen bank.

Long-term effect of cytotoxic treatments on sperm DNA fragmentation in patients affected by testicular germ cell tumor.

Introduction: Testicular germ cell tumor is the most frequent neoplasia in men of reproductive age, with a 5-year survival rate of 95%. Antineoplastic treatments induce sperm DNA fragmentation, especially within the first year post-therapy. Data in the literature are heterogeneous concerning longer follow-up periods, and the large majority is limited to 2 years.

Correction: gr/gr deletion predisposes to testicular germ cell tumour independently from altered spermatogenesis: results from the largest European study.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

gr/gr deletion predisposes to testicular germ cell tumour independently from altered spermatogenesis: results from the largest European study.

The association between impaired spermatogenesis and TGCT has stimulated research on shared genetic factors. Y chromosome-linked partial AZFc deletions predispose to oligozoospermia and were also studied in TGCT patients with controversial results. In the largest study reporting the association between gr/gr deletion and TGCT, sperm parameters were unknown.

Semen cryopreservation for men banking for oligospermia, cancers, and other pathologies: prediction of post-thaw outcome using basal semen quality.

Objective: To evaluate post-thawing sperm parameters in a large series of men cryopreserving for different cancers and oligospermia.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting: Semen cryopreservation laboratory.

Sperm DNA fragmentation induced by cryopreservation: new insights and effect of a natural extract from Opuntia ficus-indica.

Objective: To analyze the effect of cryopreservation on sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in two cytometric sperm populations, PI(brighter) and PI(dimmer), and to test the effects of Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) extracts, which contain antioxidants and flavanoids, and of resveratrol on cryopreservation of human semen.

Design: In vitro prospective study.

Setting: Institutional study.