MFI- DNA Fragmentation Test (SCSA) Thoughts

sweetsouthern

I'm driving myself insane googling/thebumping this question. My DH had the DNA sperm fragmentation test results come back today. Some people say this test means nothing. Others say it means everything. Some say normal results are less 15% frag. Others say less than 30% frag. 

I don't go back to the RE for a couple days and I have no idea what some of these values mean...  

Degraded: 49 (Total Counted Sperm)// Percentage: 9.8% 

Without Halo: 74 // Percentage: 14.8% 

Medium Halo: 324 // Percentage: 64.8% 

Big Halo: 53 // Percentage: 10.6%  

--> Total percentage of sperms with DNA fragmentation: 24.6% 

We already know we have to have ICSI IVF but 24% fragmentation seems to not be in our favor. I just don't know what to believe... Help!

 

lincoln79

was yh s/a normal? ours was and then we did this test when we couldn't conceive. 

i know how you feel. my husband has abnormal readings on oxidative stress markers and fragmentation. the company that did ours said above 20% is abnormal.

i am a biochemist and the reason it makes sense to me that this would matter is that the egg can only be fertilized by one sperm. if that sperm has "broken" DNA then proper growth cannot take place.

my impression is that icsi and ivf can completely overcome this issue because they can monitor fertilization and growth much better. the report for our analysis stated as such and said that iui had much less chance of being successful than ivf/icsi.

what i find difficult is that this analysis is so seldom used it is hard to get an idea what the "normal" fragmentation level is for healthy, fertile, males.

fwiw, we found scientific studies that indicate taking anti-oxidants (DNA fragmentation can occur by oxidative damage) can be helpful in this issue.

we are at the place where all my tests are normal except for uterine abnormality (which they tell us shouldn't effect conception, but who knows...). we are meeting with our RE on thursday to go over tests. i will let you know her opinion...

gl finding your way! 

sweetsouthern

lincoln79:

was yh s/a normal? ours was and then we did this test when we couldn't conceive. 

DH was 100% abnormal for his morphology and very low motility. I guess in theory, this test does make sense but I have heard so much conflicting information.

Good luck to you as well! 

maggie2324

I've read a little about this test, but not enough to be helpful here.  From what I read, 24% should not affect IVF with ICSI much.  Under 15% is ideal and over 30% is poor.  16-29% is good to fair, with problems starting to occur around the 27% mark.

My DH is also 100% abnormal in morphology, but we're hoping that improves with the next S/A.  Otherwise, we'll be right behind you with IVF/ICSI. 

sweetsouthern

maggie2324:

I've read a little about this test, but not enough to be helpful here.  From what I read, 24% should not affect IVF with ICSI much.  Under 15% is ideal and over 30% is poor.  16-29% is good to fair, with problems starting to occur around the 27% mark.

My DH is also 100% abnormal in morphology, but we're hoping that improves with the next S/A.  Otherwise, we'll be right behind you with IVF/ICSI. 

Makes me feel better, thanks for the info! I was sitting here wondering if we even had a chance at a successful IVF...

Good luck to you and your DH on the next S/A! 

sbrowns08

It sounds like people may be confusing DNA frag and morphology here. They are two completely different things. You can have low morph and great DNA, and vice versa. That said, I would ask your RE what she/he thinks of the numbers. Unfortunately ICSI won't overcome DNA issues, however as a PP said it will allow the embryologist to watch the embryos and put one back that is growing normally. This only is effective in a 5dt because sperm frag doesn't usually shoe in an embryo until day 4. All of that said, we didn't do the sperm frag test because we knew in our hearts that even with poor results we would exhaust our resources on IVF anyway. Sorry for the formatting, I'm on my phone...but best of luck to you!

sbrowns08

OK, so I reread the responses and I guess people weren't confusing the two- just talking about them at the same time. lol!

sweetsouthern

sbrowns08:

OK, so I reread the responses and I guess people weren't confusing the two- just talking about them at the same time. lol!

I confuse myself! The RE wanted DNA fragmentation test and like you said, it really would not have mattered the outcome because we know we will go ahead with IVF. Anyway, GL to you!