The relationship between sperm viability and DNA fragmentation rates

Background In humans, sperm DNA fragmentationrates have been correlated with spermviability rates. Reduced spermviability is associated with high sperm DNA fragmentation, while conversely high spermviability is associated with low rates of sperm DNA fragmentation. Both elevated DNA fragmentationrates and poor viability are correlated with impaired male fertility, with a DNA fragmentationrate of > 30% indicating subfertility. We postulated that in some men, the sperm viability assaycould predict the sperm DNA fragmentationrates. This in turn could reduce the need for sperm DNA fragmentationassay testing, simplifying the infertility investigation and saving money for infertile couples.