JBRA Assisted Reproduction 2025;29(Suppl.2 SBRA 2025):39
Oral Presentation
29^th Annual Congress of the SBRA. São Paulo/SP - Brazil, 2025
doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20263567

P-27. Association Between Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) and Seminal Volume in Men Undergoing Fertility Evaluation

Debora Scaraboto¹, Mayara Fatima Frazão Patussi¹, Mayara Fatima Frazão Patussi¹, Julia Tomaz¹, Lidio Jair Ribas Centa¹, Rodrigo Santos Andrade¹

¹ Androlab - Clínica da Fertilidade - Curitiba - PR - Brasil

Objective: It is known that higher sperm DNA fragmentation index can lead to lower blastulation and pregnancy rates and higher miscarriage rates on fertility treatments. The objective of this study is to investigate if there is correlation between the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and low (<1.4ML) or high (>5.0ML) seminal volume.
Methods: This retrospective study analyzed semen samples from 289 patients who attended an assisted reproduction center for fertility evaluation. All patients underwent sperm DNA fragmentation test using the sperm chromatin dispersion method and seminal evaluation following the standards recommended by the latest edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen. According to the WHO Manual, the fifth percentile of men who can conceive within 1 year of unprotected sexual intercourse is 1.4ML of semen. At least 200 spermatozoa were analyzed in each sample for sperm DNA fragmentation assessment. The index was considered normal when 25% or less sperm were fragmented, as recommended by the manufacturer. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test (1 degree of freedom), p<0.05 being considered statistically significant.
Results: Among the 289 patients analyzed, seminal volume was stratified into two groups based on the WHO 5th percentile of 1.4 mL: low volume (<1.4 mL) and normal/high volume (≥1.4 mL). The DFI was compared between these groups. Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between low seminal volume and DNA fragmentation (p=0.95). Similarly, when considering a higher volume threshold (>5.0 mL), no statistically significant difference in DFI was observed in comparison to volumes ≤5.0 mL.
Conclusion: This study found no statistically significant correlation between seminal volume, whether low (<1.4 mL) or high (>5.0 mL), and sperm DNA fragmentation rates. These findings suggest that seminal volume alone may not be a reliable predictor of sperm DNA integrity in men undergoing fertility evaluation and has little or no relevance on patients undergoing fertility treatments.