DNA Fragmentation Index of Sperm (DFI)
Male infertility is caused by the quality and quantity of sperm. Either, the sperm produced by the male is of low quality or the count of sperm in the ejaculate is low in number. Though, sometimes, the reason behind fertility is DNA fragmentation. So, what is it, exactly? At times, the problem of infertility roots to DNA.
What is Sperm DNA Fragmentation?
Sperm DNA fragmentation refers to the amount of genetic damage in the DNA of sperm. Sperm is the powerhouse of genetic materials that are carried to the body of the female. The fragmentation of the sperm DNA shows the breaks in it. Recent researches have shown that, sperm DNA fragmentation is one of the leading causes of male fertility. Sometimes, while the motility, quantity, and quality of the sperm are fine, failed pregnancy can also be a result abnormal genetic composition of the sperm. Some research even suggests that the egg cell or ovum itself has the ability to repair the DNA of the sperm during fertilization but such cases are rare and sometimes the DNA of the sperms are too fragmented to be repaired by the egg cell.
