Sperm DNA Fragmentation Among Smokers and Non-Smokers as Measured by Sperm Chromatin Dispersion Test
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31436/imjm.v17i1.917Abstract
Introduction: Traditionally, seminal fluid analysis is done to assess male infertility particularly sperm concentration, morphology and motility. Sperm chromatin dispersion test explores the quality of the sperm DNA structures. High sperm DNA fragmentation is associated with unexplained infertility, failure of assisted reproduction and recurrent miscarriages. Smoking has been associated with high sperm DNA fragmentation in some studies but not in others. Materials and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study, involving 32 smokers and 32 non-smokers to determine the association between cigarette smoking and sperm DNA fragmentation. Semen samples were collected from patients undergoing seminal fluid analysis (SFA) at the IIUM Fertility Centre and IIUM Medical Centre O&G Clinic from January 2017 to June 2018. Sperm chromatin dispersion test was done and level of 15% is considered upper limit of normal. Results: 53.1% in the smoker group have abnormal level of sperm DNA fragmentation compared to 34.4% of nonsmokers. The median and interquartile range for smokers were 15.30 and 19.0 (10.425 - 29.375) respectively while for non-smokers were 8.25 and 17.8 (4.075 - 21.850) which was statistically significant (p= 0.012). It was also noted that three participants in the smoker group (9.4%) has very high sperm DNA fragmentation index of more than 80% even though they have normal seminal fluid analysis. Conclusion: There is an association between smoking and high sperm DNA fragmentation. There is a trend of increased in DNA fragmentation in smokers even though their SFA results were normal.
Downloads
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
All material submitted for publication is assumed to be submitted exclusively to the IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia (IMJM) unless the contrary is stated. Manuscript decisions are based on a double-blinded peer review process. The Editor retains the right to determine the style and if necessary, edit and shorten any material accepted for publication.
IMJM retain copyright to all the articles published in the journal. All final ‘proof’ submissions must be accompanied by a completed Copyright Assignment Form, duly signed by all authors. The author(s) or copyright owner(s) irrevocably grant(s) to any third party, in advance and in perpetuity, the right to use, reproduce or disseminate the research article in its entirety or in part, in any format or medium, provided that no substantive errors are introduced in the process, proper attribution of authorship and correct citation details are given, and that the bibliographic details are not changed. If the article is reproduced or disseminated in part, this must be clearly and unequivocally indicated.