The extent of paternal sperm DNA damage influences early post-natal survival of first generation mouse offspring

ObjectivesTo study the post-natal characteristics and the survival of offspring derived from DNA damaged sperm.Study designThis experimental prospective study was conducted on Swiss Albino mice (Mus musculus). Sperm DNA damage was induced by different doses of γ-irradiation in male mice who were then mated with healthy female mice. The post-natal characteristics including the survival of first generation offspring were studied and then correlated with the amount of paternal sperm DNA damage.ResultsA significant reduction of survival in the early post-natal period was observed in the first generation offspring derived from the DNA damaged sperm, and a strong association was observed between the extent of sperm DNA damage and the survival of the offspring.ConclusionThe DNA damage load in sperm at the time of fertilization influences early post-natal survival of the mouse offspring.