DFI and fertility
DFI varies from 0 to 100%. A low DFI indicate that the DNA is robust. The higher the DFI is, the more fragile the DNA is.
| DFI | DNA-fragility | Fertility | Proportion of infertile couples |
| Below 15 | Low (=robust DNA) | Normal | 50% |
| 15 to 25 | Moderate | Reduced | 25% |
| Above 25 | High | Strongly reduced | 25% |
Understanding DFI
Strictly spoken, DFI is a precise measure for the percentage of sperm where the test is able to identify actual fragmentation (damage) to the DNA. Ideally, the DFI should be as low as possible. A DFI of 25 implies that it is almost impossible for a couple to achieve a spontaneous pregnancy.
A general misunderstanding is that a semen sample with a DFI of 25% still contains 75% normal cells. This is not correct.
To understand DFI, you need to think of an iceberg.
The part of the iceberg that we can see is equal to DFI. Most of the iceberg is below the surface of the water. This part of the iceberg is equal to the proportion of sperm with fragile DFI. So in a sample with a DFI of 25%, almost all other sperm contains fragile DNA.
After a natural intercourse, the sperm will have to swim the long way through cervix, uterus to find and fertilize the egg in the oviduct. When the sperm has reached that far, all sperm will have DNA fragmentation and pregnancy will not be achieved.
