Approximately 1 in 6 couples are experiencing some level of infertility.
There are a significant number of factors involved affecting both the female and the male.
From the couples affected by infertility, approximately 40% is attributed to the female, 40% to the male and 20% makes up unknown factors.
Traditionally, the woman was considered to be the culprit, either in her egg quality or in the ability of her uterus to hold onto and maintain a pregnancy.
Although these factors are very real and must always be considered, more and more research is showing that the DNA integrity of sperm is absolutely vital to a healthy conception and sadly, the fragmentation of DNA within the sperm is increasing with modern society.
So what is sperm DNA fragmentation?Every little sperm is packed with DNA and recent studies have shown that the sperm genome quality plays a major role in early embryogenesis.
If the DNA inside the sperm is damaged (ie fragmented), then the possibility is high for both an inability to conceive and a greater chance of miscarriage.
When a man's fertility is assessed, quite often the standard sperm analysis checks count, motility, volume and sometimes morphology (shape).
However with more research around the area of DNA fragmentation, we now understand that the standard sperm characteristics are not related to the DNA quality.
This means that a man's sperm test results can look perfectly normal and not highlight a fertility problem, yet testing can show significant DNA fragmentation.
For couples going through IVF, research shows that standard sperm characteristics are a poor predictor of IVF outcomes There a few tests that can measure the amount of DNA damage to sperm.
One test is called SCSA - Sperm Chromatin Structure Analysis, another is the TUNEL test.
Basically, a special dye is used over the sperm.
The sperm that are resistant to taking up the dye have more structural DNA integrity, whereas the sperm that do absorb the dye show damaged DNA integrity.
The sperm are then counted and percentage based on the sample provided is given.
A result of >30% indicates significant DNA fragmentation and can have adverse fertility outcomes.
An ideal result is <15%.
It is important to understand that every man will have some level of DNA damage to his sperm but greater than 15% indicates that sperm quality is a problem and can potentially explain why a conception has not occurred or why a couple has miscarried.
A DNA fragmentation percentage of 15% or more does not mean that the couple cannot conceive, it simply means that the chances are reduced and that the risk of miscarriage is greater.
So what causes DNA to fragment and what can be done?These are questions many medical professionals are trying to answer.
What we do know is that the multiple environmental hazards of modern living are contributing to the problem.
The plethora of chemicals, pollutants, additives, heavy metals, preservatives and toxins in our environment (including our food chain) are impacting negatively on sperm quality in men.
It is impossible to prevent exposure to all chemicals and toxins but it is possible to reduce your levels of exposure.
Start becoming aware of where you are at increased risk of chemical exposure; check out your different environments at work, home, leisure, etc.
Organic food reduces the exposure of chemicals from the food chain and of course social poisons (alcohol, smoking and recreational drugs) contribute greatly to the problem.
For more information on reproductive issues, pre-conception healthcare and fertility for both partners, please contact medical herbalist and nutritionist, Kimberly Taylor at her Natural Fertility Clinic Wellington on 04 499 1439.