Three hour abstinence as a treatment for high sperm DNA fragmentation: a prospective cohort study
A prospective, blinded cohort study, of males undergoing an initial semen analysis at a private infertility center, was carried out to compare the sperm DNA fragmentation after 3 days of abstinence followed by 3 hours of abstinence. One hundred and twelve men, of average age 41.4 (±6.3), participated in the study with semen analysis and DNA fragmentation (Halo testing) carried out on both samples. Twenty nine of the participants also took a sperm specific anti-oxidant multi-vitamin during the study.
Initial analysis found that DNA fragmentation improved overall from 34.6% (±19.4) to 23.7% (±16.0). Further analysis found that 55% of men with high DNA fragmentation (≥ 35%) decreased this fragmentation back down to within normal range. Six percent of male samples after 3 hour abstinence resulted in worse DNA fragmentation however this increase was still within the normal range. Interestingly none of the 3 hour abstinence results changed a planned IVF without ICSI to IVF with ICSI. Further statistical analysis identified younger age and sperm specific anti-oxidants was linked to those showing a greater than 30% improvement in DNA fragmentation.
Limitations
- Sperm DNA fragmentation was indirectly measured using HALO sperm assay instead of direct measurement
- Small number of participants for reliable sub-analysis and possible confounding factors
- Strict morphology was not measured in the second sample
- Change in fertilization rate or live births not included in this study
Similar studies
Marshburn P B, et al. (2014). Influence of ejaculatory abstinence on seminal total antioxidant capacity and sperm membrane lipid peroxidation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.05.039
Gosálvez J, et al. (2011). Shorter abstinence decreases sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation in ejaculate. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.08.027
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