A DNA fragmentation test, or sperm quality check, looks inside your sperm to assess the quality of your sperm. A DNA fragmentation test gives important information as it identifies DNA damage in sperm. Research shows that DNA quality is an important factor in male fertility and is fast becoming the go-to fertility test to really understand a man's fertility.
Why have a DNA fragmentation test
DNA is the code of life, so damaged DNA reduces the chances of pregnancy and a healthy baby - this is a key test when assessing male fertility. If DNA fragmentation levels are high this is associated with infertility, failure of IVF and early miscarriage.
We would recommend a DNA fragmentation test for anyone who; has been trying to conceive for one year, is considering IVF treatment, has been unsuccessful with IVF treatment, has suffered a miscarriage. A DNA fragmentation test can detect male fertility issues that may be missed in a traditional semen analysis. DNA damage in sperm will affect a man's fertility, decrease the chances of successful IVF treatment and increase the risk of early miscarriage.
Traditionally, the response to a couple facing fertility problems has been to focus on the woman with little evaluation of the male partner. Often, assessing why DNA fragmentation is high and working to correct this will result in drastic improvements in male fertility and therefore likelihood of a pregnancy and successful treatment.
Unique to Fertility Solutions we include a consultation and discussion of your results, after a male fertility consultant urologist has reviewed them. This is vitally important when understanding how these results relate to your fertility outcome. This is vitally important as incorrect interpretation of a DNA fragmentation test will not ultimately improve your fertility outcome. Fertility Solutions will always give you a full breakdown and discussion of the results of your DNA fragmentation. This is a specialist test and you aren’t expected to understand the results straight away – that’s where we come in. We will interpret the results with you after our consultant urologist has reviewed them at no extra charge.
Our world renowned urologist, Mr Jonathan Ramsay (widely regarded as the UK’s leading expert in male fertility), will review your results and outline all the next steps and treatment options for you. Our embryologists will discuss this with you, make sense of the results for you and construct a referral or treatment pathway tailored to you.
The good news is that we will advise you of appropriate actions to both investigate the cause and identify treatment options to lower your DNA fragmentation levels. Reducing the DNA fragmentation levels will ultimately improve your fertility and increase your chances of pregnancy.
Many causes of DNA fragmentation are related to sub-optimal testicular function and this can be changed! Some common causes include varicocele, infection and sometimes lifestyle factors.
