Results of preimplatation genetic screening of embryos in married couples with sperm DNA fragmentation

Objective. To determine the frequency of aneuploidies (monosomies, trisomies, disomies, nullisomies) from all chromosomes, as well as DNA deletions and amplifications in the embryos from couples with higher and normal sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation levels. Subjects and methods. An array-based preimplatation genetic screening program was applied to 170 couples; each couple underwent estimation of sperm concentration, motility and morphology according to the 2010 WHO standards, as well as sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation levels by the TUNEL method. Results. A relationship was found between the level of paternal sperm DNA fragmentation and the frequency of obtaining embryos with a normal karyotype. With the increased level of DNA fragmentation, this figure is 47.96% vs 66.17% with its normal level (p < 0.02). There was also a substantially increased frequency of embryo DNA deletions and amplifications with a higher level of paternal sperm DNA fragmentation (35.89% vs 5.39% with its normal level; p < 0.001). Fragmentation does not have a statistically significant impact on abnormal chromosome number. Conclusion. This study has demonstrated a correlation between the level of paternal sperm DNA fragmentation and the frequency of structural karyotype abnormalities in embryos. © Bionika Media Ltd.