Extend® – Double-Strand Sperm DNA Fragmentation Test
Helping Explain Miscarriage or Failed IVF: The Role of DNA Damage
Experiencing miscarriage or failed fertility treatment is heartbreaking and confusing. You deserve answers and hope. While many factors can contribute to pregnancy loss, research has shown that sperm quality, and specifically double-strand SDF damage (dsSDF), can be a contributing factor.
The Extend® dsSDF test exclusively measures double-strand DNA breaks (dsDB) in sperm and is designed specifically for those who have suffered recurrent miscarriage or IVF failure.
What is a Double-Strand Break?
Think of your sperm’s DNA as a ladder. A single-strand break (ssDB) is like one of the ladder’s side rails being broken, which your body can often repair. A double-strand break (dsDB) is more like both side rails being broken at or near the same point. This type of severe damage is much harder to fix and can lead to poor embryo development and a higher risk of miscarriage.
By focusing on this specific, severe type of damage, the Extend test provides a precise evaluation that can uncover hidden issues. This critical insight allows you and your healthcare team to make more informed decisions and choose the most effective path to a successful pregnancy.
What is the Extend Test used for
Early Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL)
When experiencing multiple early miscarriages (within the first 12 weeks), the test helps determine if elevated dsDB levels in sperm are contributing to pregnancy loss.
Planning IVF or ICSI
Understanding sperm DNA integrity can help you and your fertility specialist choose the best treatment path, such as IVF or ICSI, and increase your chances of success.
Surgical Sperm Retrieval (SSR) Candidates
Men being considered for SSR procedures can benefit from the Extend test to assess sperm DNA quality and its suitability for SSR before undertaking the surgery.
Can results be improved?
While dsDBs are a fundamental problem of sperm production, certain approaches may help. Preliminary studies looking at advanced sperm preparation techniques, such as microfluidic sperm selection for ICSI, have shown that they can often enrich for sperm with healthier DNA, offering the potential to improve treatment outcomes.
Extend: A unique test
Extend is the only commercially available test that exclusively measures double-stranded DNA breaks. This unique focus provides a highly targeted diagnosis for couples with a history of recurrent miscarriage or ART (IVF/ICSI) failure.
This test is also validated to work on samples with very low sperm concentrations (oligozoospermic) and on surgically retrieved sperm, making it suitable for a wider range of patients who are not able to be served by other SDF tests.
Book an Extend Sperm DNA Test Near You
Extend requires a referral from your doctor or fertility specialist.