Male Fertility Matters: Understanding Sperm's Role in Pregnancy Loss | Paige Waters
FertilityMale Fertility Matters: Understanding Sperm’s Role in Pregnancy Loss

Male Fertility Matters: Understanding Sperm’s Role in Pregnancy Loss

Sperm DNA fragmentation refers to ‘breaks’ in the genetic material (DNA) within sperm cells. 

DNA in sperm is responsible for carrying half of the genetic blueprint to the embryo. High levels of DNA fragmentation can:

    • Reduce the chance of fertilisation
    • Increase the risk of miscarriage
    • Impact embryo development
    • Contribute to unexplained infertility

Common Causes of DNA fragmentation:

    • Oxidative stress – smoking, poor diet, environment toxins
    • Varicocles – enlarged veins on the scrotum
    • Infections
    • Past viruses
    • Advanced age – increases after 45 years old
    • Heat exposure – phone in pocket, laptop on lap
    • Lifestyle factors – stress, alcohol, poor sleep, poor diet, recreational drugs, steroids

A research paper published in June this year (2025 if you’re reading in the future!), found with strong evidence a causal relationship between high sperm DNA fragmentation and miscarriage rates.

But the even more interesting part of this study, showed that this was in men with otherwise ‘normal’ semen results’. 

This is really helpful information for women and couples trying to conceive. 

Natural health has known this for quite some time, but we now have the scientific evidence to support it.

 

What this means is, men, with otherwise ‘normal’ sperm results, but who have high sperm DNA fragmentation can be one cause of miscarriages in their female partner. 

 

It would make sense then, that with every semen analysis, we test the sperm DNA fragmentation, right? Just to note, you can’t use the tested sample for fertilisation so it can’t be tested with your stimulated IVF cycle. 

But here is the issue – in 11 years of practice so far. I have only ever seen a handful of sperm DNA fragmentation test results. 

Another issue, men with ‘normal’ sperm results are not considered optimal. There is a huge concern with ‘false normalcy’ in sperm results. See the table below for how the ‘normal’ numbers have changed over time. I have very rarely seen an optimal semen analysis for any couple I’ve treated. But the testing is also incomplete. 

Many couples are told that it doesn’t matter, because you can do ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) where a sperm is chosen for insemination. This isn’t a treatment. It’s a work around. This procedure relies on an embryologist picking a good quality sperm. You can’t tell the difference between a sperm that has DNA fragmentation and one that doesn’t just by looking at it. 

A spokesperson for the company ‘Test Him’ made this comment about ICSI for sperm DNA fragmentation….

 

“Using ICSI as a treatment for sperm DNA fragmentation is like sticking your hands into a barrel of rotting apples, hoping to pick a good one”

 

The main reason this test isn’t routinely done, is because there is no medical treatment. There is nothing a medical doctor can do to ‘treat’ sperm DNA fragmentation. 

But there is plenty you can do.

    • Things you can do to improve sperm DNA quality
    • Antioxidant supplements
    • Healthy diet
    • Lifestyle changes
    • Treat underlying causes eg varicocele repair
    • Avoid heat and environmental toxins
    • Acupuncture and TCM support

From a holistic point of view, if sperm DNA is affected from your health and lifestyle, how many other cells in your body have affected DNA? Improving your sperm, improves your health, improves your children’s health. 

If you don’t know whether the sperm you’re using for conception (this includes donor sperm) has DNA fragmentation issues, ask your clinic to test it. 

Let us know as much as possible, as early as possible. So we can make fully informed decisions about your fertility care.