To what extent can men affect recurrent pregnancy loss?

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a highly distressing and traumatic pregnancy disorder whereby the woman experiences embryonic and foetal loss on three or more occasions. In our latest article, highly revered consultant gynaecologist, Mr Mahantesh Karoshi, explains in further detail what recurrent pregnancy loss is and reveals whether or not DNA fragmentation plays a role in couples experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss.

What is recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL)?

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is defined, in the UK, as the loss of three or more consecutive pregnancies. Due to the complex aetiology involved in miscarriages, up to 40 to 50 per cent of recurrent pregnancy losses remain unexplained.

Considering that sperm cells and oocytes provide half of the nuclear embryo DNA, it may be assumed that both males and females could both have a part to play in infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss. The male factor has been less studied for many years, mainly basing the infertility diagnosis on semen parameters and, although this information is necessary, it is not always conclusive.

Does DNA fragmentation influence recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL)?

It is widely known that, in couples who suffer from recurrent pregnancy loss, sperm samples generally tend to show an increase in sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF). It has been found that the male factor may be involved in RPL when poor semen parameters are found.

It has also been recently reviewed that fertilisation with damaged spermatozoon may result in an increase of DNA damage in the embryo genome, which could result in DNA errors at different levels of embryogenesis.

Mr Mahantesh Karoshi is a highly qualified and esteemed London-based consultant gynaecologist. Consult with him today via his Top Doctors profile.