Understanding Your Male Fertility Results | Sperm DNA Test

Exact & ExactFocus Test Results

The Exact test result shows 3 different indicators of DNA fragmentation compared against a fertile reference range:

Chart showing Average Sperm DNA Fragmentation (SDF) score

1. Average Sperm DNA Fragmentation (SDF) score

An Average SDF score from 0%-31% is within the fertile range, whereas a score greater than 31% is outside the fertile range and has an increased risk of infertility.

2. Your DNA Fragmentation Distribution

The DNA Fragmentation Distribution histogram provides a more comprehensive view of the distribution of damage across your sample. The width of each of the columns shows the extent of the SDF damage category (e.g. 20-25% damaged) and the height of each column shows the proportion(%) of your sample that has that damage extent. Additionally, the profile of a typical fertile male is also shown superimposed onto your results so you can see how your SDF damage distribution compares.

Chart showing DNA Fragmentation Distribution

Chart showing % DNA Fragmentation Category

3. % DNA Fragmentation Category

The split of your sample between each DNA fragmentation category can be directly compared to that of a typical fertile male, providing further insight into how the DNA fragmentation is distributed in your sample.

Can you improve an abnormal result?

Badly damaged sperm DNA is sometimes associated with lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol, recreational drug use, anabolic steroid use, and a poor diet. It may also indicate a medical issue such as varicocele (variocose vein on the scrotum) or infection.

examen learn drinking causes Sperm DNA damage

Take positive action:

Do:

Talk to a male fertility expert: They can often help you to improve your sperm quality through simple outpatient interventions.
Quit smoking: Tobacco is toxic to sperm. Smoking over 20 cigarettes a day reduces sperm count and motility. Smoking also produces free radicals that damage sperm’s DNA.
Limit alcohol: More than 2 pints of beer or 1 large glass of wine a day increases your risk of infertility
Ditch the drugs: Cannabis affects sperm’s ability to find the egg, let alone fertilise it!
Eat healthily: A balanced diet has many health benefits, and sperm needs nutrients too.
De-stress: Stress produces free radicals which can limit sperm production and impact sperm DNA quality.
Stay cool: Sperm production is best at a lower temperature; tight underwear, compression shorts and sitting for long periods or cycling can damage your sperm.