Assisted reproduction and sperm DNA integrity, how can we obtain sperm with better DNA quality

Male fertility potential is assessed traditionally with conventional semen analysis, but recently, with growing popularity of assisted reproduction techniques (ART) sperm DNA integrity gained increasing attention, since it may better predict the chance for spontaneous pregnancy and ART outcome. A proportion of apparently normospermic but infertile men, show to have abnormal levels of sperm DNA fragmentation. Studies found that an increased sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) leads to less spontaneous pregnancies and lower ART results. DFI-measurement has been recommended in unexplained infertility, recurrent abortion and in ART failure. In this mini review we briefly describe sperm chromatin structure,mechanisms of sperm DNA injury and various type of sperm DFI assays. In addition, we have categorized our strategies for obtaining sperm with better quality into three groups based on the moment of sampling.