Relationship between sperm aneuploidy, sperm DNA integrity, chromatin packaging, traditional semen parameters, and recurrent pregnancy loss.

OBJECTIVE

To study the possible relationship between sperm aneuploidy, sperm DNA integrity, chromatin packaging, traditional semen parameters, and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).

DESIGN

Descriptive study.

SETTING

University-affiliated tertiary teaching.

PATIENT(S): A total of 22 couples with history of RPL and 20 fertile men.

INTERVENTION(S): Semen samples from case and control men were examined for differences in semen parameters, DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation, and sperm aneuploidy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Sperm DNA and chromatin integrity and sperm aneuploidy.

RESULT(S): Sperm progressive motility (30.2% vs. 51.5%) was significantly lower and abnormal morphology (74.8% vs. 54.2%) was significantly higher in the RPL group versus the control group, respectively. The percentage of fragmented DNA was significantly increased in the RPL group (17.1% vs. 10.2%) as well as the rate of spermatozoa with nuclear chromatin decondensation (23.6% vs. 11.8%). There was a significantly higher sperm aneuploidy rate among the RPL group as well.

CONCLUSION(S): The increase in abnormal sperm parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation, nuclear chromatin decondensation, and sperm aneuploidy suggest possible causes of unexplained RPL.