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La Rivista Italiana della Medicina di Laboratorio 2024 Dec 09

DOI: 10.23736/S1825-859X.24.00270-6

Copyright © 2024 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Italiano

Test di frammentazione del DNA spermatico: prove riassuntive e utilità clinica nella cura dell’infertilità maschile

Valeria CATALANO ✉

Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università degli Studi di Foggia, Foggia, Italia

Infertility is a common medical condition and a public health issue due to its negative impact on reproduction, overall health, reduced life expectancy, and quality of life. The male factor is involved in nearly 10% of infertile couples and accounts for about 50% of cases, with its incidence rising alongside a decline in sperm quality. The laboratory plays a crucial role in identifying the causes of infertility and providing targeted solutions. Recently, a correlation between sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and infertility has emerged. Although it is challenging to attribute significant predictive value to SDF as a single factor influencing reproductive success, its importance in clinical practice is undeniable. SDF testing does not replace existing infertility diagnostic tools but can enhance sperm quality assessment. Integrating SDF testing in fertility clinics can improve diagnosis and treatment planning, reflecting the likelihood of positive reproductive outcomes. Moreover, SDF testing can help identify patients with potentially correctable underlying factors causing SDF, including optimal patient selection for varicocele treatment.

KEY WORDS: Male infertility; DNA fragmentation; Spermatozoa