According to new research presented at the 24th annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, diabetes can directly lead to DNA damage.
 
Many people get normal sperm analyses and assume their sperm quality is good. However, you cannot rely on the standard sperm analysis to determine if one’s sperm is healthy. For example, in this study, the standard sperm analysis (microscopic examinations of the semen samples) appeared normal, apart from a slight decrease in volume.
 
However, the researchers found that when they looked at DNA damage (not a standard test), they saw a very different picture. According to the lead researcher Dr. Con Mallidis “Sperm RNA was significantly altered, and many of the changes we observed are in RNA transcripts involved in DNA repair. And comparison with a database of men of proven fertility confirmed our findings. Diabetics have a significant decrease in their ability to repair sperm DNA, and once this is damaged it cannot be restored.”
 
Sperm DNA quality is known to be associated with decreased embryo quality, low embryo implantation rates, higher miscarriage rates, and some serious childhood diseases, in particular some childhood cancers. Over the years possible causes for sperm DNA fragmentation have been suggested but to date the exact mechanism for the damage remains unknown, say the researchers.
 
The specific mechanisms of the damage were believed to be from advanced glycation end products (AGE’s) in the male reproductive tract due to sugar dysregulation.
 
Our researchers have found mechanisms by which Oriental Medicine can help prevent and repair AGE damage. We are preparing an article for submission and will post details after publication.