The number of retrieved oocytes is correlated to sperm DNA fragmentation when predicting pregnancy outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the correlation between age and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), and determine whether the number of eggs retrieved from the female partner was associated with the impact of sperm DFI on clinical pregnancy rates.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 896 couples aged 19-58 years who were treated at our hospital between 2019 and 2021 was performed to analyse male semen parameters and to investigate the correlation between male age, semen parameters and DFI. In total, data from 330 cycles of assisted reproduction in couples over 40 years of age were analyzed, including 66 cycles with a normal DFI (≤ 15) and 264 cycles with an abnormal DFI (> 15), so as to correlate clinical outcomes based on the number of eggs retrieved per woman and DFI. In order to identify factors associated with clinical outcomes, logistic regression analysis was carried out.

RESULTS

There was no significant decrease in semen parameters (motility and concentration) with increasing age of the male partner (P > 0.05). DFI was positively correlated with male age and was significantly higher when age was ≥ 40 years (P = 0.002). A lower number of eggs retrieved (< 4) led to a reduced clinical pregnancy rate; with similar outcomes being found for a reduction in DFI.

CONCLUSION

When male partner age exceeded 40 years, both the DFI and the number of eggs retrieved affected the clinical pregnancy rate.