NewsFeed
Headlines ASRM ESHRE FIGO ACOG Fertility and Sterility PCOS
September, 2026
September 2026
M T W T F S S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930  
Eric Lameignere: What If Part of the Sperm DNA Damage We Observe is Actually Created in the IVF Laboratory Itself?
Eric Lameignere/LinkedIn
Sep 21, 2026, 17:40

Eric Lameignere: What If Part of the Sperm DNA Damage We Observe is Actually Created in the IVF Laboratory Itself?

Eric Lameignere, Co-Founder at MovaLife Microrobotics, shared a post on LinkedIn about a paper by Moones Vasiee et al. published in the International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine:

” What if part of the sperm DNA damage we observe is actually created in the IVF laboratory itself?

When discussing sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), we usually focus on age, lifestyle, oxidative stress, or underlying male infertility factors. Yet a growing body of evidence suggests that some DNA damage may be iatrogenic, meaning it can be induced during routine laboratory handling and ART procedures.

A recent review published in the International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine highlights several laboratory-related factors that can negatively impact sperm DNA integrity:

  • Temperature and incubation time

Even a few hours of incubation may increase DNA fragmentation, particularly when sperm are maintained at 37°C for prolonged periods.

  • Centrifugation

Conventional sperm preparation methods expose sperm to mechanical stress and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), both of which can contribute to DNA damage.

  • Cryopreservation

Freezing and thawing cycles may induce oxidative stress, osmotic shock, and apoptotic pathways that compromise sperm genomic integrity.

  • Culture media, additives, and consumables

The quality of media, cryoprotectants, plastics, gloves, and other laboratory materials can influence sperm DNA stability and overall sperm quality.

  • Laboratory environment

Air quality and exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can affect sperm quality and ultimately reproductive outcomes, highlighting the importance of strict laboratory quality control.

Sperm quality does not depend solely on the patient. Every step between semen collection and fertilization has the potential to influence DNA integrity and, ultimately, IVF success.

The review also points to the growing promise of microfluidic technologies, which can reduce centrifugation and mechanical stress while selecting higher-quality sperm populations.

At MovaLife microrobotics, this concept is at the heart of our mission. By combining microfluidics and microrobotics, we aim to minimize the mechanical and oxidative stress imposed on sperm during preparation. Preserving sperm DNA integrity should not simply be a consequence of the process; it should be one of its primary objectives.”

Title: Complex in vitro fertilization laboratory factors affecting sperm DNA integrity: A narrative review

Authors: Moones Vasiee, Azam Agha-Rahimi

You can read the Full Article in the International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine.

Eric Lameignere: What If Part of the Sperm DNA Damage We Observe is Actually Created in the IVF Laboratory Itself?

Other articles featuring Eric Lameignere on Fertility News.

Azam Agha-Rahimi DNA DNA damage Eric Lameignere Fertility Fertility News IVF IVF laboratory Moones Vasie Moones Vasiee OBGYN reproductive health Reproductive Medicine sperm sperm DNA damage Women’s Health
NewsFeed