Human sperm DNA fragmentation and its correlation with antioxidant markers and sperm characteristics in Iraqi males

Background: The determination of sperm DNA fragmentation, as a significant addition to semen routine examination, has been applied in some medical andrology laboratories. This study aimed to determine the association between sperm DNA fragmentation (DFI) and semen quality and antioxidant and fertility status. Methods: Semen samples from 88 infertile males (36 asthenozoospermia, 22 oligoasthenozoospermia) and 30 normospermia were analyzed for sperm DNA fragmentation. Sperm parameters were assessed using the World Health Organization guidelines. Results: After their sperm DFI was examined, it was found that the sperm DFI of asthenozoospermic and oligoasthenozoospermic patients were higher than the normozoospermic males. The activity of SOD in seminal plasma was significantly increased (P Conclusion: Sperm DNA fragmentation is one of the main source of male infertility, which associated with poor fertility outcomes in couples. Our results have shown that sperm DNA fragmentation index was almost significantly linked to all values reflecting semen quality, indicating that sperm DFI might be an important cause leading to the decline of semen parameters.