Book your sperm DNA fragmentation test with London Diagnostics Clinic today.
- Email: contact@londondiagnosticsclinic.com
- Phone: +44 2081500059
What is sperm DNA fragmentation?
Sperm DNA fragmentation means breaks in the DNA strands carried inside sperm. A sperm can swim well and look normal, yet still deliver damaged genetic material to the egg.
The egg can repair a small amount of damage. When damage is high, it can lead to poor embryo development, failed implantation or miscarriage.
Why a normal semen analysis can miss it
A standard semen analysis counts sperm and checks movement and shape under a microscope. It does not look inside the sperm head, where the DNA sits. That is why some men with "normal" results still face unexplained infertility.
Common causes of sperm DNA damage
|
Cause |
Examples |
|---|---|
|
Oxidative stress |
Smoking, poor diet, obesity, pollution |
|
Heat |
Varicocele, hot baths and saunas, laptops on the lap, tight underwear |
|
Illness and infection |
Recent fever, genital tract infections |
|
Age |
Damage tends to rise with age, especially after 40 |
|
Medicines and treatment |
Some medications, chemotherapy and radiotherapy |
|
Long abstinence |
Sperm stored too long before ejaculation are exposed to more damage |
Many of these causes can be changed, which is why testing is worth it.
Who should consider a sperm DNA fragmentation test?
Male factor plays a part in 40–50% of infertility cases. Yet many men are only offered a basic semen analysis. A DNA fragmentation test is most useful if:
- you have unexplained infertility after at least 12 months of trying
- you and your partner have had repeated miscarriages
- IVF or ICSI has failed, especially with poor embryo development
- you have a varicocele or borderline semen results
- you are over 40
- you smoke, are carrying extra weight or work in heat or with chemicals
- you are planning IVF and want to give your sperm the best chance
Not every man needs this test. It adds most value when it could change your treatment, and we can help you decide whether it is right for you.
Why London Diagnostics Clinic leads in sperm DNA fragmentation testing
Sperm DNA is sensitive to how a sample is handled. Delays, heat and poor freezing can add damage after collection and give a misleading result. Getting the sample to the laboratory correctly is as important as the test itself.
- Leaders in worldwide cross-border testing. We arrange DNA fragmentation testing for men in the UK, Nigeria and across Africa, the Middle East and beyond.
- Accredited laboratories. Your sample is analysed through our network of accredited laboratories, using established methods to measure DNA damage.
- Accompanied sample transport. Our sister cryogenic logistics team accompanies your sample in a temperature-controlled, validated shipper, so it arrives as it left you.
- Fertility expertise, not just a number. Our team works in reproductive science every day. We explain your DFI and what it means for natural conception, IUI, IVF or ICSI.
- One coordinated pathway. If you need sperm freezing, a urology review or IVF abroad, we connect you to the next step and can accompany sperm or embryos between clinics.
- Built for the diaspora. With teams in London and Lagos, we understand testing across borders, time zones and healthcare systems.
How sperm DNA fragmentation testing works with us
- Contact us. Tell us your history and any previous semen results. We confirm whether this test is right for you.
- Prepare. Avoid ejaculation for 2–5 days before your sample, unless your doctor advises otherwise. Avoid alcohol, saunas and hot baths in the days before, and tell us if you have had a fever recently.
- Give your sample. Produce your sample at our London clinic or at a collection site arranged near you.
- Sample preparation and transport. Your sample is prepared and, where needed, frozen and packed in a validated shipper. For patients outside the UK, our team accompanies it to the laboratory.
- Laboratory analysis. The laboratory measures the percentage of sperm with damaged DNA.
- Your report. You receive a written report with your DFI, usually within [X] working days of the sample arriving. We help you share it with your fertility doctor and plan next steps.
Ready to start? Our team will guide you through every step.
- Email: contact@londondiagnosticsclinic.com
- Phone: +44 2081500059
Understanding your result and what comes next
Your result is given as a DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI). Cut-offs vary slightly by test method, so always read your result against the ranges on your own report.
|
DFI (typical guide) |
What it suggests |
Possible next steps |
|---|---|---|
|
Below 15% |
Good DNA integrity |
Continue with your current plan |
|
15–30% |
Moderate fragmentation |
Lifestyle changes, treat any infection or varicocele, consider retesting |
|
Above 30% |
High fragmentation |
Specialist review; shorter abstinence before IVF/ICSI, varicocele repair, or sperm taken directly from the testis for ICSI |
Sperm take around three months to develop. Changes you make today, such as stopping smoking, losing weight or treating a varicocele, can show in a repeat test about three months later.
Fees
|
Service |
Fee |
|---|---|
|
Sperm DNA fragmentation test |
from £[XXX] |
|
Semen analysis plus DNA fragmentation (combined) |
from £[XXX] |
|
Accompanied sample transport (outside the UK) |
quoted per route |
Fees are a guide only and exclude consultation, treatment, fertility medication, sperm freezing, storage and onward transport.
Frequently asked questions
My semen analysis was normal. Do I still need this test? Possibly. A semen analysis cannot see DNA damage, so men with normal counts can still have high fragmentation, especially where infertility is unexplained or miscarriages keep happening.
Can sperm DNA fragmentation be reduced? Often, yes. Stopping smoking, losing excess weight, avoiding heat, treating infection or varicocele and shorter abstinence can all help. Some men also benefit from sperm taken directly from the testis for ICSI.
Can I take the test if I live in Nigeria or elsewhere in Africa? Yes. We arrange collection near you and accompany your sample in a validated shipper to an accredited laboratory.
How long do results take? Usually [X] working days from the sample reaching the laboratory.
Does high DNA fragmentation mean I cannot have children? No. Many men with high fragmentation still become fathers. The result helps you and your doctor choose the treatment with the best chance of success.
Should I repeat the test? If your result was high and you have made changes, a repeat test after about three months shows whether things have improved.
Is this the same as a paternity DNA test? No. A paternity test compares genetic markers between people. A sperm DNA fragmentation test measures physical damage to sperm DNA.
Book your sperm DNA fragmentation test today
If you have been trying for a baby without success, have had repeated losses or are planning IVF, this test can show what a standard semen analysis cannot. Wherever you are in the world, we will make the test possible.
- Email: contact@londondiagnosticsclinic.com
- Phone: +44 2081500059
- Website: [londondiagnosticsclinic.com]
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical, legal, financial or other professional advice. Speak to a qualified doctor about your own situation.
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