Correlation of sperm DNA fragmentation index with routine semen parameters and its predictive value for clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization

Infertility refers to a couple's inability to conceive after a period of normal, unprotected sexual activity or to carry a pregnancy to full term. This study investigated the correlation between sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and routine semen parameters, as well as its predictive value for in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. A total of 158 infertile patients undergoing IVF-embryo transfer (ET) from September 2021 to February 2023 were enrolled. Based on DFI levels, patients were divided into a low-DFI group (DFI ≤ 25%, n=94) and a high-DFI group (DFI > 25%, n=64). Routine semen parameters were analyzed and correlated with DFI levels. DFI showed significant negative correlations with sperm motility, progressive motility (PR), and non-progressive motility (NP), and a positive correlation with immotility (IM) (P<0.05).Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that combined semen parameters had the highest diagnostic value for assessing DFI (AUC = 0.998). Additionally, significant differences were observed between groups in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) positivity and clinical pregnancy rates (P<0.05). We conclude that sperm DFI is negatively associated with sperm motility parameters and positively associated with immotility. .It has a predictive value for clinical IVF outcomes and may serve as a useful indicator in infertility assessment.