Impact of mindfulness based stress reduction on sperm DNA damage

Introduction: Sperm DNA damage is the major cause of defective sperm function. Poor social habits take a toll not only on reproductive health of parents but the resultant offspring too. Adopting a holistic integrated approach like mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR), a yoga based intervention have gained significant impetus in recent years. This study aimed to analyze how mere a simple lifestyle change can bring about balance in seminal oxidative stress parameters and related consequences in next generations.

Methods: Out of 126 fathers of children with non-familial sporadic heritable Retinoblastoma (NFSHRb), 102 were randomized into 2 groups i.e. MBSR group and Non-MBSR group. Parameters of seminal oxidative stress (OS) and oxidative DNA damage (ODD) were measured at baseline (0 day) and after 4 weeks in both groups.

Results: There was significant decrease (p < 0.0001) in mean reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG), increase (p < 0.0001) in mean total antioxidant capacity (TAC) post 4 weeks of MBSR whereas non-intervention group showed opposite trends when compared with baseline.

Discussion: A 4-week MBSR resulted in significant improvement in sperm DNA integrity and regulation of OS may affect the sperm epigenome, reduces de novo germline mutation rate and affects lifelong health trajectory of offspring. In the era of limited space, commercial expansion and increased incidence of complex lifestyle diseases, there is a dire need to adopt an integrated system of mind body interventions which aims to achieve physical, mental, spiritual wellbeing and improve quality of life .