Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: effects on sperm morphological and functional characteristics, nuclear DNA integrity and outcome of assisted reproductive technique

Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: effects on sperm morphological and functional characteristics, nuclear DNA integrity and outcome of assisted reproductive technique

G. A. Rama Raju, G. Jaya Prakash, K. Murali Krishna, K. Madan, T. Siva Narayana & C. H. Ravi Krishna

Gynecology Division, Krishna IVF Clinic, Visakhapatnam, India; Embryology Research Group, Krishna IVF Clinic, Visakhapatnam, India; Genetic Department, Krishna IVF Clinic, Visakhapatnam, India

The aim of the study was to compare the semen characteristics and nuclear DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa of diabetic and nondiabetic men undergoing assisted reproduction and correlate them with pregnancy outcome. Semen characteristics and nuclear DNA fragmentation were analysed using computeraided semen analysis system and sperm chromatin dispersion assay (SCD), respectively. Spermatozoa from diabetic patients showed significantly lower progressive (Type A) motility (14.64 ± 9.60 versus 17.99 ± 11.51, P < 0.02) and increased nuclear DNA fragmentation (37.05 ± 12.68 versus 21.03 ± 10.13, P < 0.001). Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed in diabetic patients in terms of blastocyst formation rate (38.13% versus 55.46%, P < 0.001), pregnancy rate (28.57% versus 46.34%, P < 0.001) and miscarriage rate (50.0% versus 24.56%, P < 0.001). The higher percentage of sperm DNA damage because of oxidative stress seen in diabetic patients may be responsible for the poor embryonic development and pregnancy outcome in these individuals.

doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2011.01213.x