Background. High DNA fragmentation index (DFI) is a significant indicator of poor sperm DNA quality, often associated with male infertility. Understanding the mean DFI and its correlation with associated factors is crucial for diagnosing and managing infertility in males.
The objective of the study was to evaluate the mean DFI and its correlation with associated factors in infertile males attending the infertility clinic at Can Tho Central General Hospital, Vietnam.
Material and methods. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2021 to April 2022, involving 96 males visiting the infertility clinic. General characteristics including age, occupation, and residential area, as well as semen parameters, were assessed. Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluated using the Sperm Chromatin Dispersion (SCD) assay with the Halosperm kit.
Results. The mean age of participants was 30.65±6.95 years, most of them (70.83%) under 35 years old. The largest occupational group consisted of civil servants and office workers, making up 31.2% of the participants, while 75% of the sample were urban residents. The average DFI was 21.17±10.17%, with 78.1% of cases exhibiting DFI < 30%. Significant positive correlations were found between DFI and immotile sperm (p < 0.05), while significant negative correlations were observed between DFI and parameters such as progressive motility, total motility, sperm morphology, and vitality (p < 0.05).
Conclusions. The study highlights the prevalence of high DFI in infertile males in the Mekong Delta region and its association with certain semen parameters. These findings contribute to our understanding of male infertility and may aid in developing targeted interventions for affected individuals.