Journal of International Reproductive Health/Family Planning ›› 2023, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (2): 130-134.doi: 10.12280/gjszjk.20220473

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Mechanisms and Clinical Relevance of Sperm DNA Damage

CHEN Ruo-lin, ZHANG Yun-shan()   

  1. Reproductive Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524013, Guangdong Province, China
  • Received:2022-10-10 Published:2023-03-15 Online:2023-03-21
  • Contact: ZHANG Yun-shan E-mail:zjnkzys@163.com

Abstract:

Spermatogenesis is an important process for maintaining and promoting male fertility, involving a variety of cell types, regulatory molecules, repair mechanisms and epigenetic regulators. In the later stage of spermatogenesis, the dysfunction of the sperm DNA repair system and the excessive production of reactive oxygen species may damage the nucleus and mitochondrial DNA, causing abnormal spermatogenesis and apoptosis and reducing the probability of natural conception. The sources of sperm DNA damage mainly include replication errors and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), which may be related to male infertility, assisted reproduction outcomes, and the growth and development of offspring. The sperm DNA damage can be evaluated by measuring SDF level. Studying the occurrence and mechanisms of sperm DNA damage can help to improve the clinical outcomes in infertile patients. This article reviews the processes of spermatogenesis, spermatogonia regulation and sperm differentiation, and introduces the DNA damage and its impact on the assisted reproduction outcomes.

Key words: DNA damage, Oxidative stress, Spermatogenesis, Reproductive techniques, assisted, Infertility, male