To characterize the distribution of sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and evaluate its correlations with systemic and semen-specific biomarkers.
Key Findings:
DFI increased with age and was inversely related to semen motility and CASA kinematics.
Semen leukocytes positively correlated with DFI, showing a nonlinear pattern.
Albumin exhibited the strongest inverse correlation with DFI.
The predictive model demonstrated good discrimination (AUC of 0.783) and calibration.
Interpretation:
DFI serves as a critical biomarker for male reproductive health, with significant correlations to semen leukocytes and systemic markers like albumin, indicating potential pathways for assessing sperm genomic integrity.
Limitations:
Study based on retrospective data, limiting causal inferences.
External validation of the predictive model is necessary before clinical application.
Conclusion:
The study highlights the importance of DFI in clinical practice and suggests that semen leukocytes and albumin are valuable biomarkers for sperm DNA fragmentation, warranting further investigation.
