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Controversy and Consensus on Indications for Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing in Male Infertility: A Global Survey, Current Guidelines, and Expert Recommendations

Agarwal, Ashok, Farkouh, Ala’a, Saleh, Ramadan, Abdel-Meguid Hamoda, Taha Abo-Almagd, Harraz, Ahmed M., Kavoussi, Parviz, Arafa, Mohamed, Salvio, Gianmaria, Rambhatla, Amarnath, Toprak, Tuncay, and others. (2023) Controversy and Consensus on Indications for Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing in Male Infertility: A Global Survey, Current Guidelines, and Expert Recommendations. The World Journal of Men's Health, 41 (3). pp. 575-602. ISSN 2287-4208. E-ISSN 2287-4690. (doi:10.5534/wjmh.220282) (KAR id:101000)

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https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.220282

Abstract

Purpose: Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) testing was recently added to the sixth edition of the World Health Organization laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen. Many conditions and risk factors have been associated with elevated SDF; therefore, it is important to identify the population of infertile men who might benefit from this test. The purpose of this study was to investigate global practices related to indications for SDF testing, compare the relevant professional society guideline recommendations, and provide expert recommendations.

Materials and Methods: Clinicians managing male infertility were invited to take part in a global online survey on SDF clinical practices. This was conducted following the CHERRIES checklist criteria. The responses were compared to professional society guideline recommendations related to SDF and the appropriate available evidence. Expert recommendations on indications for SDF testing were then formulated, and the Delphi method was used to reach consensus.

Results: The survey was completed by 436 experts from 55 countries. Almost 75% of respondents test for SDF in all or some men with unexplained or idiopathic infertility, 39% order it routinely in the work-up of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), and 62.2% investigate SDF in smokers. While 47% of reproductive urologists test SDF to support the decision for varicocele repair surgery when conventional semen parameters are normal, significantly fewer general urologists (23%; p=0.008) do the same. Nearly 70% would assess SDF before assisted reproductive technologies (ART), either always or for certain conditions. Recurrent ART failure is a common indication for SDF testing. Very few society recommendations were found regarding SDF testing.

Conclusions: This article presents the largest global survey on the indications for SDF testing in infertile men, and demonstrates diverse practices. Furthermore, it highlights the paucity of professional society guideline recommendations. Expert recommendations are proposed to help guide clinicians.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.5534/wjmh.220282
Uncontrolled keywords: Pharmacology (medical), Urology, Psychiatry and Mental health, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Health Policy, Aging, Reproductive Medicine, Delphi method; DNA fragmentation; Male infertility; Practice guidelines; Sperm; Survey
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Biosciences
SWORD Depositor: JISC Publications Router
Depositing User: JISC Publications Router
Date Deposited: 20 Apr 2023 10:13 UTC
Last Modified: 18 Oct 2023 11:06 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/101000 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)
Agarwal, Ashok: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0585-1026
Farkouh, Ala’a: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0362-9109
Saleh, Ramadan: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0503-3533
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Rambhatla, Amarnath: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1383-6670
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