Introduction:

The factors that affect the spermatic DNA are being studied at present and in what extent they affect the implementation of high technology assisted reproduction techniques. In vitro fertilization is a topic of interest that has motivated many researchers.

Objective:

To determine the relationship between the rate of DNA fragmentation of sperm chromatin and the results of in vitro fertilization technique in infertile couples.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 107 infertile couples referred to the National Program of Attention to the Infertile Couple, where it was specified the association between the potential fertilizer and outcome variables: rate of fertilization, embryo quality and pregnancy. In addition, there were studied some factors that may influence the degree of DNA fragmentation.

Results:

The fertilizing potential was not related to the rate of fertilization, or with the clinical pregnancy, but it did with the embryo quality (p= 0.036). The paternal age proved to be statistically significant in relation to the fertilizing potential (p= 0.032). The presence of varicocele was associated with the low fertilizing potential (OR = 5.27; CI 95% [1.34 - 24.09]).

Conclusions:

The rate of DNA fragmentation of sperm chromatin negatively affects the quality of the embryos to be transferred. The age and varicocele are positively related with the degree of sperm DNA fragmentation. The consumption of alcohol, the smoking habit and the exposure to chemical and physical agents were not associated with the rate of sperm DNA fragmentation in this study.

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