Sperm DNA Fragmentation Assay (SDFA)
The SDFA helps guide the best choice of infertility treatment by evaluating sperm health issues that are not detectable by a standard semen analysis.
This test evaluates sperm DNA damage, which has been shown to place couples at a severe disadvantage for success with Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), therefore indicating Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) as the method of choice.
Abnormal sperm DNA fragmentation is found in around 20-30% of men seeking assistance from infertility specialists, nearly ten times higher than fertile men. It is also important to note that some men have a normal semen analysis but an abnormal SDFA score. This is because the two tests evaluate different aspects of sperm.
A recent landmark study of nearly 1000 treatment attempts from 637 couples in the USA showed that couples where the male had abnormal DNA fragmentation had a 1.5% chance of success with IUI, while couples with normal SDFA scores had average success rates.
The data supporting DNA fragmentation testing before fertility treatment is so compelling that Sweden, a country that pays for its citizens to have fertility treatment, requires this test before an IUI cycle is provided and transfers patients to ICSI immediately for all couples with abnormal SDFA scores.
How will this help us?
This test will help you to decide upon the best choice of treatment with the greatest chance of success. It is important to look at the overall picture of how much it will cost to have a baby through fertility treatment. Understanding the most likely method of success will save money, time and physical as well as emotional hardship. Often an IUI cycle appears to be the least expensive method but, for some couples, the cost of bringing home a baby through IUI will exceed the cost of IVF or ICSI – and for others, the prospects of success through IUI are very low indeed.
Call us on 020 7089 1449 for detailed information.

Bridge Opening Hours