Bungum

Evaluation of Gametes - Sperm

Mona Bungum, MSc

NEEDS ASSESSMENT / LECTURE DESCRIPTION

To physicians sperm DNA integrity testing may be used as a tool in predicting a couple’s chance of obtaining a pregnancy. DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) can be used as an independent predictor of fertility in couples undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI). Moreover, when DFI exceed 30%, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) has shown to be superior to standard In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). Patients with high number of sperm DNA breaks will benefit of immediately be directed to in vitro fertilization methods.

Since the introduction of ART there has been a continuous search for markers with the potential to predict a couple’s chance of obtaining a pregnancy. During recent years there has been an increased focus on the role of sperm chromatin integrity in relation to fertility capacity. Based on available data the lecture will focus on how sperm chromatin integrity testing can be used as a tool in predicting the outcome of ART.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Following this presentation, the participants should:

1) Understand how human sperm chromatin is organized and get a brief overview of the causes of sperm DNA breaks

2) Have obtained an overview of the most frequently used sperm DNA integrity testing methods, with particular focus on the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA)

3) Got the most recent knowledge regarding use of sperm chromatin integrity testing in clinical practice including decision considering use of ART