Detection of DNA fragmentation and meiotic segregation in human with isolated teratozoospermia

Purpose: To evaluate levels of DNA fragmentation and chromosomal abnormalities in ejaculated sperm of males with isolated teratozoospermia and to determine if specific sperm morphological types occur simultaneously with these nuclear defects. Methods: Sperm obtained from isolated teratozoospermic men (n = 70) and fertile men (n = 30) were analysed using fluorescence in situ hybridization and TUNEL assay. Results: Teratozoospermic men, compared to fertile men, showed significantly higher rates of sex chromosomes disomy, and diploidy. Significant correlations were found between amorphous head, microcephalic head, short tail, and sex chromosomes disomy. Level of sperm DNA fragmentation was significantly higher in teratozoospermic men than in controls and positively correlated to the incidence of macrocephalic heads, amorphous heads, and short flagella. Conclusions: Patients with isolated teratozoospermia have increased levels of DNA fragmentation and chromosomal aneuploidy. Some specific morphological abnormalities were shown to be predictive of chromosomal abnormalities and DNA alteration. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.