Comparative analysis of semen quality parameters and DNA fragmentation in fertile and infertile males

Al-Jubouri And Mohsin K. Al-Murshidi, Rana H.

	Comparative analysis of semen quality parameters and DNA fragmentation in fertile and infertile males
Al-Kunooze Scientific Journal
Volume 11, Issue 4, October 2025, Pages 77-86 PDF (859.98 K)
Document Type: Original Article
Author
Rana H. Al-Jubouri and Mohsin K. Al-Murshidi
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation and semen quality indicators in infertile males. 30 semen samples from fertile controls and 60 from infertile males with aberrant semen parameters made up the 90 semen samples examined. The semen was analyzed using the WHO (2010) standards, which include leukocyte count, morphology, motility, and sperm concentration. DNA damage was evaluated using the aniline blue staining method, and samples were categorized based on the extent of fragmentation. All analyzed factors show statistically significant differences (P<0.001), according to the results. The normal group's mean sperm concentration was significantly greater at 54.93±13.44 million/ml than the abnormal group's, which was 17.10±15.24 million/ml. Similarly, the aberrant semen group's progressive motility was significantly lower (19.53±15.30%) than that of the normal group (56.43±16.85%). The normal group's sperm morphology (61.67±13.08%) was superior to that of the abnormal group (36.33±14.25%). Additionally, the normal group's semen volume (3.85±1.18 ml) was substantially greater than that of the abnormal group (3.26±1.47 ml). Furthermore, the abnormal semen group's leukocyte concentration (1.92±1.21 million/ml) was substantially higher than that of the normal group (0.68±0.28 million/ml). According to the results, abnormal samples had significantly more DNA damage (49.50 ± 27.50) than normal samples (19.10 ± 5.31). Sperm DNA damage was much higher in the abnormal group than in the control group (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between DNA fragmentation and sperm motility (r = -0.47, P = 0.001), morphology (r = -0.44, P = 0.001), and concentration (r = -0.41, P = 0.001). There was also a somewhat positive correlation between DNA fragmentation and leukocytes (r = 0.21, P = 0.052). This study found that infertile guys' low semen quality is closely correlated with greater sperm DNA fragmentation, which might be a good indicator for male infertility diagnosis.
Keywords
Male infertility; leukocytes; sperm motility; sperm DNA fragmentation; semen analysis

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