Evaluation of spermatic DNA fragmentation in smoking normospermic infertile individuals

Aim: In approximately 20% of infertile couples, the male factor is the only main cause. In recent years, it has been hypothesized that sperm DNA integrity may be a better indicator than routine semen analysis. Although the effects of smoking on male infertility have not yet been proven, smoking is considered a reasonable risk factor for infertility. In our study, we aimed to evaluate DNA damage in normospermic infertile men who smoke and do not smoke using the acridine orange method. Material and Methods: This study was conducted on semen samples from 50 male cases, 25 of whom were smokers and non-smokers, who met the infertility criteria and applied to the urology clinic of Dicle University Medical Faculty Hospital. Microscopic examinations and morphological evaluations were performed in accordance with the WHO 2010 criteria. The acridine orange method was applied to evaluate DNA fragmentation and DNA fragmentations were calculated. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed using the Mann-Whitney U Test. Results: In our study, in the smoking group, age was significantly associated with the duration of infertility, concentration with total motile sperm count, total sperm count with total motile sperm count, and amorphous head anomaly (p<0.01). In the non-smoking group, age and infertility were significantly associated with the duration, volume and total count, concentration and total count, total motile sperm count, and DNA fragmentation (p<0.01). However, there was no statistical difference between the smoking and non-smoking groups in terms of semen parameters and DNA fragmentation (p>0.05). Conclusion: In order to obtain more reliable results, it is thought that large-scale studies are needed in the same groups and in the general population. Keywords: sperm, infertility, DNA fragmentation, smoking