Correlation between sperm DNA fragmentation index and semen parameters in 418 men seen at a fertility center

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in 418 men who attended a fertility center. METHODS: This retrospective study includes 418 male patients seen at In Vitro Gestar, Chiclayo - Perú between October 2013 and March 2020. DFI was determined between normozoospermic patients (NORMO) and patients with one altered parameter (ALTERED). The patients were classified as oligozoospermic [Severe/Moderate oligozoospermia (OLIGO SM): <5x106 sperm/mL and Mild oligozoospermia (OLIGO M): 5 to <15x106 sperm/mL], asthenozoospermic [Severe asthenozoospermia (ASTHENO S): <10% PM (progressive motility); Moderate asthenozoospermia (ASTHENO MO): 10 to <20% PM; Mild asthenozoospermia (ASTHENO M): 20 to <32% PM)], teratozoospermic (TERATO) and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT). DFI was determined between these groups and NORMO. The data was analyzed using the SPSS 22.0 software for Windows. RESULTS: Normozoospermic patients presented lower significant levels of DFI compared with all groups. NORMO (15.64±7.65) vs [ALTERED (18.41±9.43, p=0.003); OLIGO SM (26.38±12.94, p<0.005); ASTHENO S (23.09±11.45, p<0.01); TERATO (17.96±9.23, p<0.05) and OAT (22.05±12.15, p=0.001)]. We determined a significant negative correlation between DFI and progressive motility (r= -0.162 p=0.001), and those with normal morphology (r= -0.100 p=0.040). Likewise the DFI shows a significant positive correlation with age (r= 0.257 p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Our study establishes that high DFI is accompanied by a significant impairment in all seminal parameters.