Association between sperm DNA fragmentation and fertility parameters in farm animals: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Background Accurately predicting male fertility is crucial for the animal breeding industry due to its significant economic implications. Existing literature suggests that mammalian fertility is partially dependent on sperm DNA integrity. However, routine semen analysis often fails to detec...
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BMC
2025-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Veterinary Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04652-9 |
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| author | Kenneth Owoicho Abah Zuzanna Ligocka-Kowalczyk Joy Iyojo Itodo Grace Ameh Agnieszka Partyka Wojciech Nizanski |
| author_facet | Kenneth Owoicho Abah Zuzanna Ligocka-Kowalczyk Joy Iyojo Itodo Grace Ameh Agnieszka Partyka Wojciech Nizanski |
| author_sort | Kenneth Owoicho Abah |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Accurately predicting male fertility is crucial for the animal breeding industry due to its significant economic implications. Existing literature suggests that mammalian fertility is partially dependent on sperm DNA integrity. However, routine semen analysis often fails to detect DNA damage and does not consistently correlate with field fertility outcomes. While assessing sperm DNA integrity provides valuable biological insights, its role in diagnosing animal infertility remains uncertain. Results This meta-analysis evaluated the association between sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and fertility in farm animals. Comprehensive searches were conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Springer Link Library, with results stratified by animal species and SDF detection methods. Across 30 studies, the overall correlation coefficient (COR) between SDF and male fertility was -0.46 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.54 to -0.37; Z = -8.97; p < 0.001). A significant association was observed in bulls (COR = -0.47; 95% CI: -0.54 to -0.40; Z = -11.13; p < 0.001) and stallions (COR = -0.54; 95% CI: -0.72 to -0.29; Z = -3.83; p < 0.001), whereas no significant relationship was found in boars (COR = -0.19; 95% CI: -0.37 to 0.01; Z = -1.84; p = 0.07). The effect of SDF on male fertility was analyzed in 15 studies, demonstrating significantly higher SDF values in low-fertility animals compared to high-fertility groups (SMD = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.68 to 1.01; Z = 10.07; p < 0.001). This pattern was observed in both bulls (SMD = 1.21; 95% CI: 0.85 to 1.57; Z = 6.59; p < 0.001) and stallions (SMD = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.85; Z = 6.14; p < 0.001) subgroups. Conclusions These findings suggest that incorporating SDF assays into breeding soundness evaluations could enhance the accuracy of selecting high-quality breeding males for artificial breeding programs. However, further research with adequately powered studies, standardized methodologies, and appropriate sample sizes is necessary to fully elucidate the impact of elevated SDF on fertility in farm animals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-18ff66fd368a44b4a01beff3966a8d8c |
| institution | OA Journals |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| series | BMC Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-18ff66fd368a44b4a01beff3966a8d8c2025-08-20T02:10:14ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-03-0121111510.1186/s12917-025-04652-9Association between sperm DNA fragmentation and fertility parameters in farm animals: a systematic review and meta-analysisKenneth Owoicho Abah0Zuzanna Ligocka-Kowalczyk1Joy Iyojo Itodo2Grace Ameh3Agnieszka Partyka4Wojciech Nizanski5Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University LafiaDepartment of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of AbujaDepartment of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesAbstract Background Accurately predicting male fertility is crucial for the animal breeding industry due to its significant economic implications. Existing literature suggests that mammalian fertility is partially dependent on sperm DNA integrity. However, routine semen analysis often fails to detect DNA damage and does not consistently correlate with field fertility outcomes. While assessing sperm DNA integrity provides valuable biological insights, its role in diagnosing animal infertility remains uncertain. Results This meta-analysis evaluated the association between sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and fertility in farm animals. Comprehensive searches were conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Springer Link Library, with results stratified by animal species and SDF detection methods. Across 30 studies, the overall correlation coefficient (COR) between SDF and male fertility was -0.46 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.54 to -0.37; Z = -8.97; p < 0.001). A significant association was observed in bulls (COR = -0.47; 95% CI: -0.54 to -0.40; Z = -11.13; p < 0.001) and stallions (COR = -0.54; 95% CI: -0.72 to -0.29; Z = -3.83; p < 0.001), whereas no significant relationship was found in boars (COR = -0.19; 95% CI: -0.37 to 0.01; Z = -1.84; p = 0.07). The effect of SDF on male fertility was analyzed in 15 studies, demonstrating significantly higher SDF values in low-fertility animals compared to high-fertility groups (SMD = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.68 to 1.01; Z = 10.07; p < 0.001). This pattern was observed in both bulls (SMD = 1.21; 95% CI: 0.85 to 1.57; Z = 6.59; p < 0.001) and stallions (SMD = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.85; Z = 6.14; p < 0.001) subgroups. Conclusions These findings suggest that incorporating SDF assays into breeding soundness evaluations could enhance the accuracy of selecting high-quality breeding males for artificial breeding programs. However, further research with adequately powered studies, standardized methodologies, and appropriate sample sizes is necessary to fully elucidate the impact of elevated SDF on fertility in farm animals.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04652-9SubfertilityMeta-analysisSemen qualitySperm DNA damageAnimal reproduction |
| spellingShingle | Kenneth Owoicho Abah Zuzanna Ligocka-Kowalczyk Joy Iyojo Itodo Grace Ameh Agnieszka Partyka Wojciech Nizanski Association between sperm DNA fragmentation and fertility parameters in farm animals: a systematic review and meta-analysis BMC Veterinary Research Subfertility Meta-analysis Semen quality Sperm DNA damage Animal reproduction |
| title | Association between sperm DNA fragmentation and fertility parameters in farm animals: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Association between sperm DNA fragmentation and fertility parameters in farm animals: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Association between sperm DNA fragmentation and fertility parameters in farm animals: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association between sperm DNA fragmentation and fertility parameters in farm animals: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Association between sperm DNA fragmentation and fertility parameters in farm animals: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | association between sperm dna fragmentation and fertility parameters in farm animals a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | Subfertility Meta-analysis Semen quality Sperm DNA damage Animal reproduction |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04652-9 |
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