Clinical utility of sperm DNA damage in male infertility.

Overview

Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) is an advanced test of sperm function that is utilized during male fertility evaluation. Recently, a guideline was published highlighting the detrimental impact of SDF on sperm function identifying practice-based clinical indications for SDF testing. This review illustrates the commonly utilized SDF measurement techniques and explores the current evidence behind their utility in clinical practice. Patients diagnosed with varicocele, unexplained infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, recurrent failure of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and those at risk of lifestyle/environmental exposures are recognized candidates for SDF testing. On a therapeutic level, SDF can help in selecting patients for varicocelectomy, choosing the ART modality and intervention associated with highest pregnancy and live birth outcomes and monitoring treatment response in patients with lifestyle risk factors.