Impact of Telomere Biology and Sperm DNA Fragmentation on Embryonic Development

Impact of Telomere Biology and Sperm DNA Fragmentation on Embryonic Development

The proposed project we intend to assess the implication of the telomeric pathway in male infertility. To get this, several analyzes will be carried out: 1. Determination of the TL by means of two methods: Q-FISH and PCR. 2. Determination of sperm DNA fragmentation by tunnel technique. 3. Assess sperm maturation.

Finally, the correlations between age, normality or not of the seminogram, LT, Short telomers (ST) accumulation, DNA fragmentation levels, sperm maturation and fertility, blastocyst development, and pregnancy rates will be established in search of cut-off points that can give a forecast of man´s fertility who consults on this subject.

To carry out the project, men who come to the clinic in the context of a couple fertility study and who do not have a known cause that justifies their infertility will be recruited. A clinical history will be made, and an informed consent will be given to them for their participation in the project (Annex Consents). Semen samples will be obtained on the day of oocyte fertilization and the unused part of the sample is recovered for Sperm LT determination, ST accumulation, sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm maturation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men of any age who come to IVI Madrid in the context of a couple's infertility study and who present normozoospermia or semenograms with sperm count >10mill/ml, >25% progressive motility and > 1% normal morphology.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Males who have suffered any acute illness in the three months prior to inclusion in the study.
• Males with any known chronic disease or genetic alteration.