Sperm DNA fragmentation and its association with semen parameters in male infertility: A cross-sectional study

Infertility has become a major concern over the past decades. While semen analysis is the standard initial test performed to assess male infertility, it offers limited insight due to its variability. Recently, new diagnostic tools, such as sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), have been identified as key factors in reproductive failure. Although semen parameters are well-studied, the link between these parameters and SDF remains unclear. In addition, lifestyle factors like age, obesity, and tobacco use, known to affect fertility, have yet to be definitively linked to SDF. This study aims to explore the relationship between semen parameters and demographic factors with SDF rates in a population of Lebanese males. A total of 86 men were included in our study. Neither abnormal semen analysis-defined as the presence of at least one of the following: oligospermia, asthenospermia, and teratospermia-or each of the following semen analysis parameters: pH, vitality, leucocytospermia, oligospermia, asthenospermia, and teratospermia have been associated with high rates of SDF. Additionally, no statistically significant association was found with factors of demographic data. Our study highlights the importance of considering sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) as an independent factor when semen analysis alone does not fully explain infertility.