A dynamic assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation versus sperm viability in proven fertile human donors

Objective: To analyze any possible dynamic correlation between sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm viability. Design: The rate of viability loss and the rate of increase of the frequency of sperm cells with fragmented DNA were determined at 0, 1.5, 4.5, and 24.0 hours after thawing samples from donors with proven fertility. Setting: Academic biology and reproductive medicine centers. Patient(s): Fifteen male donors with proven fertility for a maximum of six births at the reproductive medicine center. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Sperm DNA fragmentation and viability dynamics expressed as logarithmic coefficients of change. Result(s): The dynamics of sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm viability adjusted to a logarithmic function with an initial highest velocity that progressively decreases. Nevertheless, the rates were not statistically significantly correlated. Conclusion(s): In the short term, dynamic dysfunction of membrane permeability does not result in DNA fragmentation and thus must be considered as independent parameters of sperm quality. (Fertil Steril (R) 2009;92:1915-9. (C)2009 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)