Page 55 - ESHRE2019

DNA is damaged by oxidative stress Somatic cells repair DNA damage ... or die within 3‐4 hours DNA damage occurs approx one million times per day in a cell! DNA damage (mutations) is the cause of cancer and other diseases DNA structure and stability Watson, Crick, Wilkins 1953 DNA damage and sperm Sperm cannot repair DNA Sperm DNA is tightly packed for protection Sperms are alive for several days despite DNA damage Sperms with damaged DNA are still motile and can complete fertilization Evenson DP, Darzynkiewicz Z, Melamed MR. Science 1980;210:1131‐3 50 PRECONGRESS COURSE 09 I VIENNA, AUSTRIA – 23 JUNE 2019 53