Exact tests, powered by SpermComet® technology, are the sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) tests of choice amongst fertility consultants in 80% of the UK & Ireland’s leading private fertility clinics.
Examen’s range of market-leading SDF tests are able to look inside your sperm to check the quality of its DNA.
Sperm DNA damaged can be caused during sperm production and/or while it is being stored in your body. This damage is known as DNA fragmentation.
High levels of sperm DNA fragmentation damage are associated with delayed natural conception and repeated miscarriage.
Sperm DNA fragmentation damage also reduces the success of fertility treatments like IVF.
What causes damage to sperm DNA?
Damage to sperm DNA is mostly caused by oxidative stress via free radicals. Free radicals attack the DNA resulting in single or double-strand breaks in the DNA molecule itself, which produce single or double-stranded DNA fragments (Figure 1).
Sperm do not have the cellular machinery to repair DNA damage so even men who are dads have some damage in their sperm. The amount of damage caused can vary from one individual sperm to another.
However, once the total average damage reaches a certain level it can cause fertility problems.
Sperm DNA Single-Strand DNA Breaks (ssDB) vs. Double-Strand DNA Breaks (dsDB)
Free radicals cause more ssDB in sperm DNA because it is highly susceptible to oxidative damage due to its dense packing and the presence of fewer DNA repair mechanisms compared to other cell types.
dsDB are less common but highly significant because they are particularly detrimental to sperm DNA integrity. Double-strand breaks occur when two single-strand breaks happen close to each other on opposite strands, or when a single-strand break is converted into a double-strand break due to incomplete repair.
Consequently, while single-strand breaks are more common, double-strand breaks, though less frequent, can be particularly harmful to sperm DNA integrity and overall fertility.
Examen’s world-leading SDF tests are able to measure total SDF damage, and uniquely, can also specifically measure dsDB fragmentation damage only.
The Exact Tests - How does SpermComet technology work?
Examen’s tests are powered by SpermComet® technology and are based on a very well-known and established scientific technique called single cell gel electrophoresis.
This technique measures the amount of single- and/or double-strand DNA fragments present in individual sperm to determine the extent of total DNA fragmentation throughout the sample (Figure 2).
This detailed examination of individual sperm in the sample is what makes Examen’s range of tests the most accurate male fertility tests available.
