N-SEED: Linking sperm images, DNA quality, and everyday life to study male fertility

What is it about?

Can microscopic sperm videos offer clues about sperm DNA damage? N-SEED is a Japanese research project designed to explore this question while considering men's health, lifestyle, and environmental exposures. This paper describes the study plan for a database linking sperm images and videos with the DNA fragmentation index (DFI), an indicator of sperm DNA damage. The initial study recruited 124 adult male volunteers outside infertility clinics. An exploratory group of 103 participants also provided blood and urine samples and completed physical assessments and questionnaires. These will help examine hormones, environmental chemicals, diet, sleep, stress, and sexual function. We also recorded conditions during semen collection. The first phase focuses on checking the reliability of DNA measurements and exploring relationships between image features, DFI, and other factors. This protocol presents the study design and completed sample collection; results from the planned analyses will be reported separately.

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Why is it important?

Routine semen tests measure sperm count, movement, and appearance, but these measures provide only part of the picture of male fertility. Assessing sperm DNA adds another layer of information, although the test used here requires specialized equipment and expertise. N-SEED brings these laboratory measurements together with the wider context of men's health and daily lives. This approach may help researchers identify factors that should be considered when interpreting sperm images. The project is building a foundation for larger studies and future image-based assessment methods, including artificial intelligence. The long-term aim is more accessible male fertility assessment, with any future clinical tool requiring independent validation against outcomes such as pregnancy.

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