Seminal cell‐free DNA and sperm characteristic’s: An added biomarker for male infertility investigation

Cell‐free DNA (Cf‐DNA) fragments may constitute an easy‐to‐measure molecular tool for guiding the choice of care provided to infertile couples who benefit assisted reproductive technology (ART) programmes. Data on Cf‐DNA levels in the seminal plasma of men with sperm alterations are scarce. The objective of the present study was to quantify the presence of Cf‐DNA in semen by using a quantitative real‐time PCR. We compared men with abnormal sperm characteristics (n = 21) with normospermic controls (n = 21). The PCR assay evidenced significantly higher mean Cf‐DNA levels in patients with sperm abnormalities than in controls (2.09 versus 1.18 µg/ml, respectively; p = .0003). The Cf‐DNA levels were notably higher in men with azoospermia (3.65 µg/ml, versus 1.34 µg/ml in matched controls; p = .03) and men with teratozoospermia (1.80 µg/ml, versus 1.29 µg/ml in matched controls; p = .008). Our data report a significant association between elevated Cf‐DNA levels and sperm abnormalities. These results may open up new diagnostic and prognostic perspectives in male infertility.