Table 1. Percentage of samples with normal DNA fragmentation and altered DNA Fragmentation in each group.
JBRA Assisted Reproduction 2025;29(Suppl.2 SBRA 2025):37
Poster Presentation
29th Annual Congress of the SBRA. São Paulo/SP - Brazil, 2025
doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20263561
P-25. Association Between Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Oxidative Stress
Lincoln Bastos Farias Junior1, Rebecca Souza e Silva Chiavazzoli Fernandes1, Mariana Duque Mello1, Amanda Conceição Pimenta Salles1, Camila Pientznauer Soares Monte Vianna1, Mel Braz Barcellos Cunha1, Camila Carpanez Soares1, Paula Fontoura1
1Banco de Sêmen do Rio de Janeiro - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brasil
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between oxidative stress in human semen and an increase in sperm DNA fragmentation.
Methods: The experiment was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. Thirty-four patients seeking for fertility investigation were selected for the study and agreeded to participate in the research. Semen collection was performed via masturbation, respecting a period of 2 to 3 days of ejaculatory abstinence. The evaluation of the sperm DNA fragmentation index of the patients' samples was performed using the Sperm Chromatin Dispersion (SCD) method, with CANfrag Kit from Candore Bioscience. The evaluation of oxidative stress was performed by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, using the Nitro Blue Tetrazolium (NBT) method, with CANros Kit from Candore Bioscience.
Results: The samples were divided into two groups according to ROS levels for statistical analysis. Group 1 was comprised of 15 samples with normal (n = 3) and low (n = 12) ROS levels, while group 2 included 19 samples with moderate (n = 12) and high (n = 7) ROS levels. 5 samples from Group 1 (33.3%) showed altered DNA fragmentation, while 9 from Group 2 (47.4%) showed altered DNA fragmentation (Table 1). Statistical analysis using Fisher's exact test, calculated with GraphPad QuickCalcs, revealed no significant association between the variables (p = 0.4953), suggesting that, in the sample studied, sperm DNA fragmentation is not related to the presence of reactive oxygen species in semen.
Conclusion: The most common known cause of sperm DNA damage is high ROS levels. The main sources of ROS in the ejaculate are spermatozoa, especially those that are morphologically or functionally abnormal, and leukocytes, which may be present. This study did not find a correlation between sperm DNA fragmentation and the presence of ROS in the semen. However, this may be related, in part, to the multifactorial nature of sperm DNA fragmentation, intra-subject sample variability and the small number of participants included in the research. Even in the absence of a statistically significant association between the variables analyzed, the data obtained favors future investigations and highlights the importance of including more complete assessments in diagnostic protocols for male reproductive health.
Table 1. Percentage of samples with normal DNA fragmentation and altered DNA Fragmentation in each group.