Comparing the Roles of Sperm Chromatin Integrity and Apoptosis in Intrauterine Insemination Outcomes of Couples with Mild Male and Female Factor Infertility

Background: Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is one of the therapeutic approaches for infertility. The objective of this study was to evaluate DNA integrity and apopto-sis role in success of IUI in both mild male and female factor infertility. Methods: Patients were divided into two groups: M (mild male factor; n=29) and F (female factor; n=31) undergoing single IUI. Ejaculates were analyzed and chroma-tin quality was assessed using chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining. In addition, spermatozoal apoptosis was recognized using TUNEL assay. Statistical analyses were done using t-test and Mann Whitney test for sperm apoptosis and sperm chro-matin by SPSS. Data were expressed in mean±SD for variables. P<0.05 was consid-ered statistically significant. Results: Sperm concentration and progressive motility were higher in F than M group. Sperm with normal morphology were statistically similar in M and F infertile patients (32.7±15.6 % vs. 35.5±9.07%, p=0.39). Sperm chromatin immaturity was higher in patients with mild male infertility, when compared with the other grou