What secret sperm issue is preventing you from having a baby?

Sperm DNA fragmentation is a frequently overlooked sperm parameter that can significantly impact male fertility, even when standard semen analysis results—such as count, motility, and morphology—appear normal. DNA fragmentation refers to breaks or damage in the genetic material within sperm cells, which can impair the sperm's ability to fertilize an egg or result in poor embryo development, increased risk of miscarriage, or failed implantation. Because traditional semen tests do not assess the integrity of sperm DNA, men may be told their fertility is “normal” despite having high levels of DNA damage. As a result, sperm DNA fragmentation can be a hidden factor in cases of unexplained infertility or recurrent IVF failure, making it a valuable parameter to evaluate in comprehensive fertility assessments.