What is SCSA test?
What is SCSA test?
The SCSA® (Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay) test quickly and accurately identifies men who are less likely to achieve a term pregnancy, either naturally or with Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART, IUI, IVF/ICSI). It does this by determining the percentage of sperm with fragmented DNA and the degree of DNA damage.
What is an SCSA?
The sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) is a new diagnostic tool that can detect sperm samples that have a high degree of DNA fragmentation (small breaks in the sperm chromosomes).
What causes sperm fragmentation?
Sperm DNA fragmentation is associated with infections, cigarette smoking, drug use, exposure to environmental and occupational pollutants, advanced age, varicocele (enlarged veins inside the scrotum), illnesses with high fevers, elevated testicular temperature (laptop computers, hot tubs), chronic diseases such as …
What is the color of fluorescent DNA strand breaks in SCSA?
SCSA is a flow cytometric test where sperm DNA breaks can be evaluated indirectly through the DNA denaturability. The assay measures the susceptibility of sperm DNA to acid-induced DNA denaturation in situ, followed by staining with the fluorescent dye acridine orange.
Can sperm with DNA fragmentation fertilize an egg?
Several studies show that spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation are able to fertilize an oocyte [2-4], but are related to abnormal quality embryo, block in the blastocyst development, and lower pregnancy rates either natural or using IUI, IVF, or ICSI procedures [5-10].
What is the Wace exam?
It is the Western Australian graduation certificate of the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. From 2010, the WACE replaced the Tertiary Entrance Exam (TEE), as the standard academic examination for school leavers in Western Australia.
Can you fix DNA fragmentation in sperm?
DNA fragmentation can be improved in most cases using nutritional and lifestyle changes.
How is DNA fragmented?
DNA fragmentation is a biochemical hallmark of apoptosis. In dying cells, DNA is cleaved by an endonuclease that fragments the chromatin into nucleosomal units, which are multiples of about 180-bp oligomers and appear as a DNA ladder when run on an agarose gel.
What causes high sperm DNA damage?
Oxidative stress produces free radicals which attack the DNA molecule causing breaks in the DNA strands. Sperm DNA damage is often associated with underlying medical conditions (including: varicocele, infection or fever), or certain lifestyle choices (including: drinking, smoking or heat).
What is the SCSA test for infertility?
SCSA Test. A vital step in finding a solution for infertility involves finding the problem! The SCSA® (Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay) test quickly and accurately identifies men who are less likely to achieve a term pregnancy, either naturally or with Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART, IUI, IVF/ICSI).
What is the SCSA test?
Start With The Sperm, End With The Answer The SCSA test is the original sperm DNA fragmentation test used by thousands of patients all over the world. Be Proactive! Before beginning or continuing the emotional and financial costs of fertility treatments do an SCSA test to make a more informed approach to your conception journey.
What is the success rate of sperm freezing for SCSA?
The results of multiple subsequent studies were quite different than the original studies. In a Colorado study, 128 couples going through an IVF cycle had sperm frozen for SCSA. The pregnancy rate in patients with a SCSA showing less than 30% fragmentation (the normal group) was 62%.
What is the pregnancy rate for a patient with SCSA?
The pregnancy rate in patients with a SCSA showing less than 30% fragmentation (the normal group) was 62%. The pregnancy rate in patients with an SCSA greater than 30% (the abnormal group) was 81%. In the abnormal group, the average SCSA result was a fragmentation index of 40%.
