DNA fragmentation

[Wishingforamiracle19]

Does anyone have any experience of the DNA fragmentation test from sperm comet?

We’re expecting my partners results tomorrow and quite nervous!

Yes, DH has had it done twice (and I've even been in their lab!)

Our first clinic totally dismissed the validity of the test but DH wanted to get it done before further IVF attempts.
He also saw Dr Ramsay a urologist who knows a lot about male fertility issues, who suggested he try Condensyl (now known as Impryl).

Anyway fingers crossed your partner's results don't give cause for concern.

@LongerthanMrTicklesarms thank you! Yes we’ve had it done on Dr Ramsay’s advice and we’ve both been taking impryl for the past 6 months. Although the sample they are testing is a vial of frozen sperm taken from last October so before impryl and subsequent other lifestyle changes. We’ve had one round of ICSI with zero fertilisation which they think was down to a sperm issue so I guess this is just confirmation and will help us to decide what steps to take next.

Is it right that the higher the number the more damaged the sperm?

@LongerthanMrTicklesarms also out of interest, were your DHs 2 tests on either side of him taking impryl? And if so, was there an improvement?

Oh Wishing in sorry the answer is that I don't know if it was helping, basically after the first test he did start taking Impryl but then was diagnosed with cancer. He gave a regular sperm sample then for freezing but there was no time to get a sperm comet test done on it. Then many months later he did sperm comet again and the results were much as before but he hadn't been taking the Impryl as he had been recommended different things for his general health.
He's cancer-free (touch wood!) and we're hoping to get started again soon.

@LongerthanMrTicklesarms oh wow I’m sorry to hear that but glad that everything is ok now! Good luck for when you do start again.

We had the results and they were 20% which is normal parameters they said, so we’re going to start again on my next cycle hopefully. X

Thanks Wishing, it was a difficult time for sure, we'd been to a new clinic after first failed IVF and were all set to start with them when he became ill but all okay now and very keen to get started again after the delay.

Thank you for the luck, we'll need it!

Very glad the results came back in the normal parameters, lots of luck to you too. Hoping the last round was an anomaly. Have the clinic said what they will do differently?

@LongerthanMrTicklesarms when are you thinking of starting again? Did you have any indication as to why your first round failed? So hard isn’t it!

We’ve actually moved clinics so not sure yet what their plan is. We’ve got another appointment with Dr Ramsay on Tuesday to discuss further. The embryologist seemed to think that the sperm didn’t survive the thaw so we will do a fresh SSR alongside ER, so hoping this will make a difference. Feel relieved about the results although I’m not sure if they help us with our zero fertilisation as apparently sperm DNA doesn’t actually kick in until day 3. X

Hi Wishing, the main reason for first round failing was probably low ovarian reserve, I have low AMH and never expected to get lots of eggs. We did standard IVF but will do ICSI next time.
As I only had 2 embryos the clinic did a 2 day transfer, which means we don't really know how much of a part sperm played as you say that kicks in at day 3.
It was a funded NHS cycle and we could have self-funded further treatment there but we didn't like the clinic and we had to travel to get there so we thought we might as well look elsewhere for a fresh start.

Our new clinic does have some frozen sperm from DH, we were hoping to use fresh and have that as a back up.
He's currently shielding so depending how long that lasts and advice from medical team we'll hopefully get started in August.
He would only need to come to the clinic on egg collection day (and he'll need to drive me home anyway).

Good luck with Dr Ramsay tomorrow, will keep everything crossed for reassuring news. X

Hi Wishing, is Dr Ramsay going to do the SSR for your partner? Hope you both have a plan of sorts. 💐

@LongerthanMrTicklesarms aw bless you for remembering!

Well we have 2 options - we can go ahead with Care in 3 weeks or go to the Lister in London and have Mr Ramsay do the procedure. Would obviously prefer he does it but we’re in a Leicester so it’s not that easy logistically...not really sure what to do! How are you? X

Oh that does make it complicated.
Is there someone in Care who is experienced in the procedure?
I expect financially and logistically going to the Lister will be a bit of a pain at the moment. I guess have a think about what you're both comfortable with, we do have one clinic option nearby but went with a different one as we thought there was more chance of success and wanted to have no regrets. Someone else might find the travelling stressful and prefer to be closer to home. Good luck either way, you probably have a feeling which is right for you. X