Sperm DNA Fragmentation

[Tam83]

Hi,

Just wondering if anbody has any success stories of ppl conceiving with DH having sperm DNA Fragmentation.

My DH recently got his sperm test results back and his analysis showed normal sperm concetration and slightly reduced sperm motility but acceptable sperm morphology. He also an increased level of sperm DNA fragmentation index at 30%.

It states in the analysis that levels above 29% result in couples being infertile or suffer miscarriages

[mindy80]

Hi
Is your husband currently taking any vitamins to help correct this issue?
My husband had the test done but he came back in the normal range which surprised our fertility specialist because he smokes but he was put on a concoction of vitamins that apparently helps with the fragmentation they dont know exactly wat it is but just taking these together seems to help.

Mel

[Tam83]

Mindy good luck with your transfer tomorrow. Yeah DH is now taking menevit which is vitams C, E antioxidants and other stuff to help male sperm. He is going for another test on the 8th September to see if they have improved.

DH doesn't smoke and rarely drinks alcohol so I dont understand why he would have an issue, overall he is quite healthy so it was a real shock.

[mindy80]

Thankyou i am nervous.

Well heres wat my FS put my Dh on if you want to have a try at this:


1 Centrum
1000ui Vitamin E
1000mg Vitamin C
150mg Co Enzyme Q10 (CoQ10)


Goodluck
Mel

[tima31]

Hi Mendy and Tam,

I read your stories, my husband has very high DNA fragmentation sperm, we have gone through five failed ICSI and I am just looking for success stories despite the fragmentation. Did vitamins work????? I am afraid to try again, emmotionally, mentally and financially. Please advise back if it worked at the end. thanks

[JustOneMore]

Hi Tam,

I have travelled down the same path as you and would like to fill you in on my story in hope that it helps someone out there:

My husband and I have been trying to conceive since January 09. I am 39 and my husband is 40.
We have 2 children DD 2004, DS 2007 both conceived via IUI , as I have PCOS. And I feel very blessed to been able to have my 2 children but would dearly love just one more.

We did the DNA Fragmentation Tunel Assay Test and Semen Analysis in January 2009

DNA Fragmentation 20 %
Oxidant DNA Damage 14%, which is good.
23 Million per ML - which is good
Shape 4% - Not good, they would prefer it around 15%
Motility 12% - Not good, they would prefer it around 25%
The above result is common for my husband age group.

IF taking the Vitamins etc and doing another DNA Test and things only slightly improve and DNA Damage is the same or higher then ICSI using testicular sperm, is a very successful way of achieving a pregnancy, well that's what the Dr told us.
Of the patients who underwent ICSI using testicular aspirate and/or biopsy sperm due to high levels of sperm DNA Fragmentation, a clinical pregnancy rate of 52% per cycle was achieve.

On our recent DNA Tunel Assay test November 2009 - DNA Frragmentation 33% - very bad
SO in 10 months the DNA went from 20% to 33% wow, what a shock and something to think about for everyone.

* DNA can change, even changing Enviroment can affect it. e.g. Job change, moving to another suburb, stress. Its all to do with the Free Radicals in the air.

We where advised by our doctor the only option was Testicular Aspiration.

I asked for the Statistic on doing a Testicular Aspiration for our age group:
Women under 40, Partners DNA Fragmentation Tunel Assay test over 20%
42% Success Rate. Plus your reducing the chance of miscarriage by 4 times.

[~BecD~]

My husbands SCSA test came back with 35% dna fragmentation which is very bad. Even with that though we fell pregnant and made it to 9 weeks - so you can get pregnant but the miscarriage rate is high, and admittedly that was on our 8th ivf attempt.

We did TESA and used testicular sperm and this did not make any difference for us.

We were told that vitamins/antioxidants such as menevit may help - but with a result of that degree, couple with non-existent motilty - they told us it wasnt worth it. We are now moving onto donor sperm.

Just our experiences...