Let's talk about DNA fragmentation

[ohsheglows]

Hi all, after 3 rounds of IVF, 2 of which were ICSI, we decided to get DNA frag testing due to low fertilisation rates. In fact, we ended up getting better fert rates with IVF without ICSI but they arrested after 5 days. The COMET test showed 37% average DNA fragmentation which is apparently higher than what they'd like it to be. OH has been on impryl for 3 months now 🤷🏻‍♀️ and he's been checked for varicoceles.

It's been a bit of a shock, as I have low AMH, and I always thought that perhaps the low fert rate was my egg quality (I'm 32) but now coupled with the fact that we now have make factor thrown in, I feel like its now never going to happen. We also have 2 embryos frozen from the 2 ICSI rounds - I should be grateful I know, but now I'm starting to wonder whether those embies aren't the best quality as ICSI doesn't overcome DNA Frag.

I've come to realise that there isn't a lot of literature on DNA frag, some say less than 50% is good, some say less than 30% is good! It's all very confusing. I'm also reading on on PICSI, IMSI and ZYMOT which I don't even think my clinic do! Has anyone on here tried any of these methods and had any success?

Hi @ohsheglows we also have had dna fragmentation which was high. So we are on a 90 day diet and supplement plan in the hope that when we re test in October it's lowered so we can cycle again.

We had a great fertilisation rate (9 eggs, 7 fertilised) which was fab as I have low amh of 5.6 but none made it to blastocyst by day 5. So that was a massive shock and then none made it suitable to freeze. I did have one transfered but they prepared me that the success was very very low

We have rebooked a comet test for October

We've been on the Marion Grenville supplements x

Hi @strawberrysummer19 thanks so much for your reply! Did you find out you had high DNA frag before you cycled or was it the cycle that prompted it? I'm sorry to hear your embie that was transferred didn't work. I haven't heard of the Marion supplements, were they recommended to you by your consultant?

How are you feeling about your low AMH? I just keep thinking that as every month goes on, my AMH is just getting lower and lower 😕

@ohsheglows it feels such a lonely place fertility and now with this even more so

We did a cycle in may and all our tests prior were fine and in unexplained category

I'm ok about the amh as I know it can't still happen and I was happy to get 9 eggs. My Consultant said he didn't want us to cycle again until we had dna fragmentation test so that's where we are now, dieting and supplementing and I'm taking DHEA so hoping that will help my AMH

X

Hi @ohsheglows

I’m afraid I don’t know too much about DNA fragmentation (though I’m considering it if my next FET fails) but just wanted to say that I have heard of cases where IVF has had better success over ICSI. I believe the theory is that sometimes the eggs can be a bit fragile so the process of ICSI itself can be too much for them. It may be worth asking your clinic why they think you had better success with IVF.

Also, as far as I’m aware PICSI, IMSI etc. is super expensive and their success rates are only slightly better than ICSI so it could be easier and cheaper to sort out the DNA frag first which should in turn improve DPs numbers and you may not need ICSI at all then anyway (depending on what his numbers are, of course).

Best of luck for the next round, I hope it goes much more smoothly for you.