Impact of maternal hormone profile and paternal sperm DNA fragmentation on clinical outcomes following assisted reproduction

Arch Med Res. 2024 Nov 8;55(8):103108. doi: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2024.103108. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Background: Success of assisted reproductive techniques depends on multiple factors including maternal endocrine status, hormonal balance, and paternal sperm quality. A comprehensive pre-treatment evaluation allows better prediction of outcomes and avoidance of unnecessary procedures and expenses.

Methods: To examine the impact of female hormonal profiles and sperm DNA damage on the success of assisted reproduction, medical data were extracted from the clinical records of infertile couples including couples' age and levels of maternal anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin (PRL), as well as the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in men. Any correlation between these parameters and clinical outcomes was investigated.

Results: DFI and FSH independently influenced the rate of high-quality embryos. A decrease in maternal age and PRL levels increased the rate of these embryos. On the other hand, an increase in maternal body mass index (BMI) or AMH levels was associated with a reduced chance of achieving high quality embryos. In addition, any reduction in PRL levels could be associated with a higher fertilization rate. FSH levels above the normal range contribute to a reduced rate of high-quality embryos. Overall, our findings demonstrate the complex interplay between different factors and their influence on fertilization success and emphasize the importance of optimizing these variables to achieve the best possible outcome.

Conclusion: Several factors can influence the outcome of infertility treatment. These factors include paternal DFI, maternal age, BMI, AMH, FSH, and PRL levels.

Keywords: Antimullerian hormone; DNA fragmentation; Follicle stimulating hormone; Luteinizing hormone; Prolactin; Sperm.