Fertility Road Issue 03

SCIENCE | sperm dna fragmentation
The process of developing a small child lasts through the first three
months of the pregnancy, and during that period the process can be
likened to reading a small manual: ‘How to make a baby’, if you will.
Half the pages of this manual come from the egg and the other half
come from the sperm cell. The manual might have 300 pages, and
all pages have to be intact in order to get the desired result. But
what if page 28 or 268 has been torn (fragmented)? What happens
then? The answer is that if page 28 is damaged, the development of
the egg stops early in the process. The egg might have looked fine
when the fertility specialist inserted it in the uterus, but after a short
while, the development stalls, and the egg does not implant. Thus,
in some cases, DNA fragmentation in the sperm cells can be the
reason that biochemical pregnancy is achieved and then later lost.
By the same logical process, if page 268 in the manual is damaged,
the DNA fragmentation will result in an abortion later in the pregnancy.
Damage to the genome does not always result in the development
of the egg stalling. In some cases, the egg can repair the damage
to the DNA of the sperm cell, but much new research indicates
that faults are not always repaired properly. This means that
some children can be born with genetic damage caused by DNA
fragmentation in the sperm cells - for example, disorders such as
autism or schizophrenia.
Of course, we are all constantly made aware of the fact that the
biological clock is ticking for women, while conversely, the story
of Charlie Chaplin and others becoming fathers at an advanced
ages are common. However, recent research shows that the biological
clock does also apply to men.
A group of American researchers under the leadership of Andrew
Wyrobek discovered in 2006 that if the man is 48-years-old or
older, there is a 50% likelihood that he can no longer fertilise a
woman. The group of researchers found out that this is, amongst
other things, caused by DNA fragmentation in the sperm cells,
which increases as the man gets older. It therefore cannot be ruled
out that a man who has produced children in a previous relationship
is now infertile due to DNA fragmentation of his sperm cells.
The fact that the same man apparently has a normal sperm
quality and quantity, and the fact that the woman has achieved
a biochemical pregnancy, do not exclude the reality that the
problem exists in the sperm.
When Nicolas Hartsoecker looked under the microscope in
1695, he was sure that all fertility problems must be caused by the
woman, but we know now that the situation is somewhat different.
More than 300 years later, the reason for involuntary childlessness
can just as often be found in the man as in the woman.
And we shouldn’t be surprised. The sperm cell is, after all, up there
with the most fragile cell in the entire human body. If the genome is
packed poorly and is damaged (the reasons for which can be found
on the right in the fact box), the sperm cell is most likely doomed.
There is a lot of progress in DNA fragmentation research involving
sperm cells at the moment, and even though it seems that men
are not what they used to be, there is some underlying good news.
In many cases, the packing of the genome can be improved if
the cause is treated. Where this cause is and how it comes about
requires greater investigation, but we know it takes at least three
months before any advancement can be detected.
Although definite progress for patients is slow, research in
this field within the labs continues at great speed, and there is
considerable promise that the years to come will offer a new
world of information and optimism.
Facts regarding reasons for
genome in sperm cells being
packed poorly, resulting in the
possibility of DNA fragmentation:
THE PHYSICIAN CAN EXAMINE AND
TREAT YOU FOR THE FOLLOWING:
Leukocytospermia:
High white blood cell count in the sperm.
Diabetes:
Diabetes or pre-diabetes (hyperinsulinaemia).
Varicocele:
Abnormal enlargement of the veins from the testicles.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Temperature:
The normal temperature of the scrotum is 33.3ºC and can be
increased for many reasons. Avoid hot baths or spa. Avoid tight
underwear and pants. Place the portable computer on the table
instead of on your lap. Turn down the heat in the car seat. High
fever, for example in connection with flu, can also cause problems.
Smoking:
Quit smoking, if you can.
Overweight:
Maintain a healthy diet. Weight loss is a good idea if your BMI is
above 25. Changes in the diet can also reduce hyperinsulinaemia
and result in better packing of the genome in the sperm cells.
Medicine:
Many medicines cause problems. If you are taking medicine,
you should inform your fertility specialist of this. Cholesterolreducing
medicine, stomach ulcer remedies and antidepressants
have a well-known negative effect. Regarding many types of
medicine, we currently do not know whether they affect the
packing of the genome in the sperm cells.
Mobile phone:
Radiation from mobile phones causes problems. When you
have it on you, it should be in your breast pocket and not
your trouser pocket.
WHAT IS DIFFICULT TO CHANGE?
Age:
Already having had children unfortunately provides no
guarantees that problems won’t come about in future.
The environment:
Air pollution, pesticides plus various chemicals can cause
problems. Always adhere to safety precautions when dealing
with chemicals and pesticides. Remember to rinse vegetables
and wipe off fruit.
60 fertility road | november - december