Sperm with DNA damage might be the true cause of repeated miscarriages
New guidelines say testing sperm for DNA damage could help explain recurrent pregnancy losses
A recent update in 2024 from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) suggests that testing sperm for DNA damage could be the key to understanding repeated pregnancy losses. Fertility doctor Carrie Bedient described meeting with a young couple who had been struggling for five years with IVF treatments, multiple miscarriages, failed embryo transfers and chemical pregnancies.
Bedient ordered tests, including testing for DNA damage in the man's sperm, which revealed moderate levels of damage. After he made lifestyle changes like quitting alcohol and smoking and taking vitamin supplements, the couple successfully conceived a healthy baby boy. The ASRM's guidelines recommend testing for sperm DNA fragmentation in cases of multiple miscarriages, though they don't outright endorse the tests.
The guidelines acknowledge that more research is needed to determine if treatments for reducing sperm DNA fragmentation can improve pregnancy outcomes. Sperm health is believed to play a role in about 20 percent of infertility cases and contributes to an additional 30 to 40 percent of cases when combined with female factors.
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