Background and Significance: Aneuploidies, numerical chromosome errors, are common in human embryos and are associated with increasing maternal age. Although sperm aneuploidy rates have been shown to be elevated in infertile men with extremely poor semen quality, the effect of paternal influences (age, semen quality and sperm DNA fragmentation) on frequency of aneuploidy in embryos is less well known.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between sperm quality, as defined by conventional semen parameters and measurements of sperm DNA integrity, and incidence of chromosomally abnormal embryos. To eliminate any effect of maternal age, only embryos obtained from egg donation cycles were examined.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 23 egg donation cycles (mean age of donors: 24 ± 3.1) with preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) performed in a private infertility clinic. Semen analyses and sperm DNA evaluation using the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA) were performed on the semen specimen prior to processing for insemination. Multi-color fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for chromosomes 13,18, 21, X and Y (Vysis) was applied on single cells biopsied from day 3 embryos that had cleaved to ≥5 cells (n = 200). Embryos were considered aneuploid if the PGD result indicated monosomy, trisomy, complex abnormal, haploidy or polyploidy. Statistical analysis was performed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.
Results: Male age (mean: 41 ± 5.7 y) did not correlate with aneuploidy rate (mean: 37%, range 0-80%). There was no relationship between the total DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI, percent of sperm cells containing damaged DNA) and aneuploidy rate. Interestingly, however, there was a significant correlation between the percentage of sperm with moderate DNA fragmentation (moderate % DFI) and rate of aneuploidy (p< 0.05). There was no association between HDS (percent of sperm with immature chromatin), sperm concentration or percentage normal morphology and aneuploidy rate. Percentage sperm motility was significantly negatively correlated with embryo aneuploidy rate (p<0.05).
Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that two indicators of poor sperm quality, reduced sperm motility and increased levels of moderate DNA fragmentation, are related to higher aneuploidy rates in preimplantation embryos. In both situations, ICSI may not select out the sperm of highest quality for oocyte injection. This data lends support to previous studies suggesting a paternal influence on embryo development, possibly mediated by centrosomal defects, mitochondrial dysfunction or abnormal oocyte activation.

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Our fertility specialists at The Reproductive Sciences Center, or RSC, are conveniently located in La Jolla California in San Diego County. We have worked hard to create and maintain our reputation as the first-rate San Diego fertility clinic and sciences center. RSC has become synonymous with comprehensive and successful female and male infertility treatment, egg donor programs and surrogacy options, in vitro fertilization, ICSI and more.

While we have provided services to hundreds of patients throughout the Temecula, Murrieta, La Jolla, Riverside,San Bernardino and Encinitas areas, we also help many people from across the United States, Europe, Australia , Asia, Africa and the Americas who make us their final destination for treatment with infertility in San Diego. We lead the area as one of the leading fertility centers in the world.

Our fertility center has long been established as having one of the highest fertility success rates in the world, and with more than 75 years of combined medical training, experience and ongoing continuing education, our fertility specialists set the bar for the industry. Our medical director and leading fertility doctor is one of the most well-respected experts in the world.

Successful fertility treatment in San Diego is only possible with the best fertility specialists and staff in OrangeCounty. We have been providing unsurpassed treatment for infertility in San Diego, including IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and other San Diego fertility services in La Jolla for more than a decade.

Some of our successful options for fertility treatment in San Diego include natural fertility treatment, advanced fertility treatment, IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), San Diego In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), ICSI for severe male infertility, genetic testing, embryo donation, blastocyst transfers, assisted hatching, and more. We are the top professionals of fertility options for women with cancer and fertility options for men with cancer in San Diego as well.

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