Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41606137›Full record

ReviewNature reviews. Urology2026

Sperm DNA fragmentation and its influence on mammalian reproduction.

Mehran Dabiri, Dale M Goss, Ranjith Ramasamy, Mukesh Bhakat, David K Gardner, Simon P de Graaf, Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Nature reviews. Urology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Mehran DabiriSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Dale M GossSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Ranjith RamasamyJumeirah American Clinic, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1387-7904
Mukesh BhakatSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
David K GardnerMelbourne IVF, East Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Simon P de GraafSchool of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Majid Ebrahimi WarkianiSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. majid.warkiani@uts.edu.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4184-1944

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Sperm DNA fragmentation is a recognized factor in male infertility with direct implications for embryo development, implantation and pregnancy outcomes. Historically, standard semen analysis has not included assessments of DNA integrity, creating a clear need for advanced diagnostic tools. DNA damage can arise through pathways such as apoptosis, oxidative stress and exposure to environmental toxins, all of which compromise reproductive potential. Several methodologies exist for measuring sperm DNA fragmentation, including the sperm chromatin structure assay, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL), the Comet assay and sperm chromatin dispersion, each of which has unique advantages and limitations. Novel automated imaging platforms incorporating machine learning algorithms have emerged, enabling high-throughput, single-sperm assessment and reducing subjectivity associated with manual scoring. Species differences further complicate the understanding of DNA stability and sperm quality, especially in livestock and models of artificial insemination; nonetheless, physiological similarities between humans and species close to humans provide useful translational insights. Emerging sperm selection technologies, including microfluidics, hyaluronic acid affinity systems and magnetic-activated cell sorting, show promise in reducing DNA fragmentation, improving reproductive outcomes and decreasing pregnancy loss. As the field progresses toward increasingly personalized fertility treatments, measures of DNA integrity will remain central to optimizing assisted reproduction success rates across species.

Identifiers

PMID41606137

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.