Human sperm DNA damage in the context of assisted reproductive techniques

Fertilization involves direct interaction of the sperm and oocyte, fusion of the cellmembranes and union of male and female gamete genomes. the completion of thisprocess and subsequent embryo development depend in part on the inherent integrity ofthe sperm dna. sperm genome quality has been emphasized for several years asplaying a major role in early embryogenesis. there is clinical evidence showing thathuman sperm dna damage may adversely affect reproductive outcomes and thatspermatozoa of infertile men possess substantially more dna damage than dospermatozoa offertile men. testing dna integrity may help selecting spermatozoa withintact dna or with the least amount of dna damage for use in assisted reproductivetechniques (arts). this review will focus on how sperm dna is organized, whatcauses sperm dna damage and what impact this damage may have on reproductiveoutcome.