DNA fragmentation test

[Ttcbythesea]

Hi all

Has anyone had experience with DNA testing please and maybe had success with results out of the fertile range?

My partner had an SSR as we were told the only way forward. After a couple of unsuccessful rounds we have had DNA testing, its high but not much over. The consultant suggested impryl supplements then to do semen analysis after 3 months. All a bit odd as we feel this should have been suggested way begire SSR now confusing if we will use SSR sperm or fresh. Think it's quite a unique situation but would love to hear from people that have had experience with the dna testing or SSR....thank you 😊

[MakingbabyN]

Hey, it’s not quite the same situation, but my husband had a frozen sample taken because he was at risk of needing an operation. In the end he didn’t have the op, but the sample was there on ice.

Anyway on our second cycle, my husband took proxeed for 3 months before to help improve his results, on the day of our egg collection he gave a fresh sample, and it was 20% better than the frozen one, but had traces of COVID antibodies. So in the end they advised us it was best to use his frozen sample.

So I guess what I’m saying is, it sounds like your husband can see what difference the supplements make, then on the day, they will use whatever is best, either the SSR or the fresh. Xxx

[Ttcbythesea in reply to MakingbabyN]

Thank you, were both tested with dna testing or the semen analysis? Thank you

[MakingbabyN in reply to Ttcbythesea]

The hospital mentioned DNA fragmentation testing to us but we opted against it for the time being. So the above is just based on semen analysis results xxx

[soccerkt6]

Hi lovely

We haven't had success yet (just started injections for my second cycle yesterday!) but my husband has seen pretty big improvements with his DNA fragmentation after taking Impryl along with cod liver oil (highly recommend unless you already eat a lot of oily fish) and Vitamin D.

The results from his most recent DNA fragmentation test showed that while he's still outside the fertile range (average fragmentation dropped from 42% to 35%), he managed to almost double his number of undamaged sperm (from 20% before to 37% now). The urologist was very impressed with this improvement and advised to do ICSI with PICSI on this next cycle to further improve our chances.

If I were you, I would do another DNA fragmentation test after he's been on Impryl for three months so you know whether or not you need to do SSR again xxx

[Llizzie]

Hi, my husband had a DNA fragmentation of 52%. We found out before we did IVF and miraculously I’m six months pregnant from our first round.

We did manage to move his motility and count significantly with lifestyle changes (mainly diet). From 12% to 44% motility and from 3m to 13m count. We did the comet test after these results as his morphology was still 1%.

After that we did supplements for five months (Proceive Max and Proxeed alternated), gave up alcohol and made sure our diets were good (with a weekly takeaway chucked in). He also had a couple of small infections treated with antibiotics. I’m not sure how far we managed to move his fragmentation as we didn’t retest but from 14 eggs collected we made one blastocyst with IMSI.

SSR wasn’t an immediate option for us as my husband has issues with his veins and heart so was deemed too risky to start with.

Wishing you the best of luck x

[Barenina]

Hi!We always had terrible fertilization rates in our ISCI procedures (only 0-20%) and after 6 rounds of failed ISCI, we finally took the DNA fragmentation test (not recommended by our clinic) and it showed by husband had really high DNA fragmentation. We consulted with a clinch in Greece any they recommended high intake of antioxidants over 3 months and daily to every other day sperm ejaculation. (This to minimize oxidant stress or something)

On our next ISCI cycle we had 50% fertilization rate and the one after 60%.!!!! I had some egg quality issues that made the eggs stop developing but after supplementing with DHEA we had 3 blastocyst in our last ISCI procedure and I am now pregnant. I got pregnant twice from this round but miscarried two months ago.

Hoping this one will stick!

So there is hope! You only need one good sperm

By hubby took

1000g vitamin c

300g vitamin e

1600 vitamin D

And I also made him take q10.

The Norwegian clinic also gave him HCH shots to improve sperm count but we are not sure it helped. He did gain muscles though and enjoyed it a lot

Hope this helps!