Sperm DNA Fragmentation
and Decondensation Analyses*
Available at Dr. Roseff's Practice
Wellington, FL · Phone:
561-333-8232
Dr. Roseff, in collaboration with a well-established reference laboratory, proudly offers unique, relatively inexpensive, and reliable supplemental tests of male infertility. These are called the SDFA™ and SDD™ tests. The SDFA™, which assesses sperm DNA fragmentation using established methods supported by 25 years of published research, may be extremely useful in couples with:
Unexplained or persistent infertility
Recurrent miscarriage
Abnormal semen analysis
Advanced male age (>50 years)
Low fertilization rates in IVF cycles
Poor embryo quality in IVF cycles
Implantation failure on IVF cycles
Prolonged stay in a work or home environment where there may have been possible exposure to reproductive toxicants
Sperm DNA fragmentation is a key factor in male infertility. The SDFA™ test offered to Dr. Roseff's patients accurately assesses the level of DNA fragmentation, providing clinically significant diagnostic information about the potential of a patient's sperm to achieve pregnancy and eventually produce a live birth. This additional information goes above-and-beyond the traditional semen analysis.
Published and ongoing studies
indicate that sperm with elevated DNA fragmentation, as measured by the SDFA™
test, have a lower probability of supporting a successful pregnancy. The
SDFA™, originally described as the SCSA® by Evenson, has shown
that motile, morphologically normal sperm may in fact have extensive DNA
fragmentation. The DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) has been developed using
assay data and is expressed as the percentage of sperm in a
sample with elevated levels of DNA fragmentation. The statistically
significant threshold for infertility has been established at >30% DFI.
Exceeding this threshold does not always preclude normal fertilization and early
embryo development, but is associated with a 50-100 percent
reduction in full term pregnancies, as well as a doubling of the miscarriage rate.
DNA fragmentation in sperm may be the result of many factors including, but not
limited to, disease, diet, drug use, high fever, elevated testicular
temperature, air pollution, cigarette smoking, other toxin exposures, and
advanced age. With the exception of age, exposure to these factors may be
transient, and the resulting elevated level of DNA fragmentation may be
temporary and may improve over time. DNA fragmentation levels also
fluctuate in a small percentage of infertile men that have no known exposure to
the aforementioned factors. However, in general, SDFA™ test
results tend to be significantly more stable than standard semen analysis
measurements of count,
motility and morphology.
The Sperm DNA Decondensation (SDD™) test accurately assesses the level of DNA decondensation compared to a normal fertile male. In the sequence of events following the penetration of sperm into an egg, sperm chromatin material undergoes decondensation. This is a prerequisite for DNA synthesis and proper fertilization. In one study of men with unexplained infertility, almost 22% failed the SDD™ test. All of the sperm samples that failed the SDD™ test were then used in an IVF cycle, and none produced a pregnancy that progressed beyond the first trimester.
The SDD™ test can identify males producing sperm that cannot activate proper embryo development BEFORE a couple undergoes a potentially disastrous/failed IVF cycle. In studies to date, such males have a zero percent (0%) rate of pregnancies progressing past the first trimester when their samples have been used in IVF cycles. This test, offered to Dr. Roseff's patients in Florida , is the only in vitro (laboratory) test that evaluates sperm function after penetration into the ovum. It can identify a subgroup of males with otherwise unexplained infertility. We order the SDD™ test for our couples with:
Unexplained infertility
Recurrent pregnancy loss
Normal-appearing sperm but failure to achieve pregnancy via intercourse or IUI
Poor fertilization during IVF cycles
Poor embryo quality during IVF cycles
Morphologically abnormal sperm
Established patients may undergo SDFA™ and SDD™ testing under the supervision of Dr. Roseff and his staff, in conjunction with the reference lab. These test results may help you better understand the potential role of male factor infertility in your specific case and will also aid Dr. Roseff in deciding which treatment options best suit your individual situation.
If you would like to discuss these tests further with Dr. Roseff or his staff, please call or e-mail us at your convenience. Current patients of Dr. Roseff interested in "moving forward" and having these important analyses done need to:
Secure Message Dr. Roseff: [CLICK HERE]
*FDA DISCLAIMER: For Investigational Use Only. The performance characteristics of these products have not been established.
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