DNAFragCompare
DNAFragCompare

A consumer guide to male fertility testing

Understand sperm DNA fragmentation. Compare your testing options.

Simple, research-based answers about sperm DNA damage: what it is, how it’s tested and what your result means. Plus a side-by-side look at the tests you can order today.

Compare Tests Learn About DNA Fragmentation
Sourced from peer-reviewed research Updated November 2026
01Intact strands02Single-strand break03Double-strand break
FIG. 1 DNA fragmentation means breaks in the DNA that sperm carry. Different tests look for these breaks in different ways.

How it works

From first question to the right test.

  1. 01

    Understand

    Learn what DNA fragmentation is, why a regular semen analysis misses it, and when testing is worth discussing.

    Read the primer
  2. 02

    Compare

    See each test’s price, what’s included and how long results take. Every listing answers the same questions.

    Compare tests
  3. 03

    Interpret

    Got a result? We explain what your percentage means and what to ask your clinician next.

    Understanding results

Compare tests

Side by side, on the details that matter.

Price, what’s included, how you collect and how long results take, for every test. Open any row to see the details.

See all tests

Featured placement. DNAFragCompare is operated by SwimScore, so this is a commercial pick, not an independent ranking. Disclosure

Method
Provider Method Sample collection Results in Price Details
SwimScoreFeatured value option Semen analysis + DNA fragmentation
SCDHalo / Sperm Chromatin Dispersion
At-home kit · prepaid overnight return
2–3 business days
$325
Sapyen Core semen analysis + DNA fragmentation
Not publicly specified
At-home kit · free shipping both ways
Within 10 business days
$399
Legacy Semen analysis + DNA fragmentation
SCDHalosperm
At-home kit · overnight mail-in
Within 48 hours
$495
FellowComing soon Announced Oct 28, 2026
Not publicly specified
At-home kit · via clinic
Not publicly specified
Not yet published

Method

SwimScore and Legacy use SCD; Sapyen and Fellow don’t publish theirs. Compare results only within one method. How methods differ

What’s in the package

SwimScore, Sapyen and Legacy each include a full semen analysis and a DNA fragmentation index (DFI).

Lab time vs total time

Results time usually starts when the lab gets your sample (Sapyen counts from mailing). Add shipping for the total.

Featured provider · DNAFragCompare is operated by SwimScore. Sorting works the same for every test. How we compare Showing 4 of 4 · Verified Nov 14, 2026
4 tests · price, low to highVERIFIED NOV 14, 2026

SwimScore

Featured value optionSemen analysis + DNA fragmentation
$325
METHOD
SCDHalo / Sperm Chromatin Dispersion
COLLECTION
At-home kit
RESULTS IN
2–3 business days
What’s included
  • Full semen analysis · volume, concentration, total count, motility and morphology
  • DNA fragmentation (DFI) · SCD (Halo / Sperm Chromatin Dispersion) method
  • At-home kit · prepaid overnight return packaging
  • CLIA-certified lab · results typically 2–3 business days after the lab receives your sample
  • Physician review · consultation and clinical review included
  • Total time: add overnight shipping to the lab.
  • SwimScore Complete adds a hormone panel for $450.
  • Excluded states aren’t specified.
SwimScore · SwimScore Advanced Checked Nov 14, 2026DNAFragCompare is operated by SwimScore. Featured placement is a commercial decision. Disclosure
View details

Sapyen

Core semen analysis + DNA fragmentation
$399
METHOD
Not publicly specified
COLLECTION
At-home kit
RESULTS IN
Within 10 business days
What’s included
  • Core semen analysis · 10 measures, including count, concentration, motility, morphology, pH and volume
  • DNA fragmentation (DFI) · method not published
  • Report · with recommendations
  • At-home kit · free shipping both ways
  • Total time: up to 10 business days from mailing.
  • $379 per test if you subscribe to retesting.
  • The processing lab and any excluded states aren’t specified.
Sapyen · DNA Fragmentation Test Checked Nov 14, 2026
View details

Legacy

Semen analysis + DNA fragmentation
$495
METHOD
SCDHalosperm
COLLECTION
At-home kit
RESULTS IN
Within 48 h
What’s included
  • Semen analysis · volume, concentration, total motile count, motility and morphology
  • DNA Fragmentation Index · Halosperm SCD method
  • Insights dashboard · lifetime access, with a Sperm Score
  • Specialist support · fertility specialists help interpret results
  • At-home kit · transport liquid, insulated container, overnight shipping
  • Total time: add overnight shipping. Collect and ship Monday to Thursday, after 2–5 days without ejaculating.
  • HSA/FSA eligible · CLIA-certified, CLEP-approved lab · United States only.
Legacy · Advanced Semen Analysis with DNA Fragmentation Checked Nov 14, 2026
View details

Fellow

Coming soonAnnounced Oct 28, 2026
Not yet published
METHOD
Not publicly specified
COLLECTION
At-home, via clinic
RESULTS IN
Not specified
What’s included
  • Ordering · through clinicians and clinics
  • Collection · at-home, mail-in, like Fellow’s semen analysis
  • Semen analysis · offered alongside; whether it’s included isn’t specified
  • Expected before the end of 2026 in every state except New York.
  • Price, method and turnaround haven’t been published yet.
Fellow · DNA fragmentation announcement Checked Nov 14, 2026
View details
How these tests differ

Method. SwimScore and Legacy use SCD; Sapyen and Fellow don’t publish theirs. Compare results only within one method.

What’s in the package. SwimScore, Sapyen and Legacy each include a full semen analysis and a DNA fragmentation index (DFI).

Lab time vs total time. Results time usually starts when the lab gets your sample (Sapyen counts from mailing). Add shipping for the total.

Featured provider · DNAFragCompare is operated by SwimScore. Results time usually starts when the lab gets your sample; Sapyen counts from mailing.

See all 4 tests

The basics

What is sperm DNA fragmentation?

Sperm DNA fragmentation means there are breaks or damage in the DNA that sperm carry. A regular semen analysis can’t see it.

A regular semen analysis counts sperm and checks how they move and how they’re shaped. It doesn’t look at the DNA inside. So your semen analysis can look normal while DNA fragmentation is high.

Your result is a percentage, called the DNA fragmentation index (DFI): the share of sperm with damaged DNA.

Read the full primer
  • WHY IT MATTERS · 1

    Invisible on a standard test

    Sperm count, movement and shape can all look normal while fragmentation is high.

  • WHY IT MATTERS · 2

    Linked to fertility outcomes

    Studies link high fragmentation with taking longer to get pregnant and a higher chance of miscarriage. Findings vary between studies.

  • WHY IT MATTERS · 3

    Often addressable

    Causes such as a varicocele, smoking, heat and infection can sometimes be treated or changed, with a clinician’s help.

Understanding results

Reading a DFI result

Lower is better. But there’s no single cutoff: where “high” begins depends on the lab method and the lab.

How to read your report

Haven’t tested yet? Testing isn’t right for everyone, so talk with your clinician first. If you go ahead, compare your options or see our featured provider, SwimScore Advanced (DNAFragCompare is operated by SwimScore).

LowUnder 15%
Moderate15–30%
ElevatedOver 30%
Commonly cited ranges for the SCSA method only. Other methods and labs use different cutoffs, so read your result against your own report and discuss it with a clinician.

Guides

Start with the essentials.

All guides
GETTING STARTED Sperm DNA fragmentation, explained What it is, what causes it, and why a normal semen analysis can miss it. 5 min read GETTING STARTED DNA fragmentation test cost Current at-home prices, what each one includes and what drives the differences. 4 min read TESTING METHODS At-home DNA fragmentation testing, explained How home collection works, what affects reliability and how the current kits compare. 4 min read UNDERSTANDING RESULTS How to read your DFI result What the percentage means, why cutoffs vary by method, and what to ask next. 4 min read FERTILITY & RESEARCH Can DNA fragmentation be lowered? What the evidence says about lifestyle changes, varicocele repair, antioxidants and IVF options. 3 min read ALL GUIDES · 5 Browse the Learn library Getting Started, Testing Methods, Understanding Results and Fertility & Research, searchable in one place. Browse all guides

Testing methods

Four ways to measure fragmentation.

What matters most for you: each method uses its own scale, so results from different methods can’t be compared directly. If you retest, use the same method. None is best for everyone.

SCSA

Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay
WHAT IT DOES
Indirect — checks how easily the DNA comes apart
HOW IT’S READ
A machine reads thousands of sperm at once
YOUR RESULT
DFI % and HDS %
CONSISTENCY
High — every lab follows the same steps
GOOD TO KNOW
The most studied test; frozen samples can be mailed

TUNEL

Terminal dUTP Nick End Labeling
WHAT IT DOES
Direct — tags the broken ends of DNA
HOW IT’S READ
A machine or a microscope
YOUR RESULT
% of sperm with tagged breaks
CONSISTENCY
Medium — steps and cutoffs vary by lab
GOOD TO KNOW
Finds breaks on one or both sides of the DNA

COMET

Single-cell gel electrophoresis
WHAT IT DOES
Direct — broken DNA drifts out like a comet’s tail
HOW IT’S READ
A gel and an electric field, read by software
YOUR RESULT
% of DNA in the “tail”, or a comet score
CONSISTENCY
Lower — hands-on work; fewer labs offer it
GOOD TO KNOW
Some versions find breaks on one or both sides of the DNA; others only both

SCD

Sperm Chromatin Dispersion
WHAT IT DOES
Indirect — healthy DNA spreads into a “halo”
HOW IT’S READ
Under a microscope
YOUR RESULT
% of sperm with a small or no halo
CONSISTENCY
Medium — kit-based and simpler to run
GOOD TO KNOW
Often one of the lower-cost options
Read the full methods guide Compare tests by method

Editorial standards

Written for patients. Grounded in the research.

Our editorial team writes every guide from published research and clinical guidelines. We keep the language simple and update guides when the evidence changes.

  • Review shown only when it happens. When a qualified clinician reviews a guide, their name, credentials and review date appear on it. Until then, we don’t claim a review.
  • Sourced and dated. Claims link to research or clinical guidelines, and every page shows when it was last updated.
  • The same fields for every provider. Every listing answers the same questions, checked against each provider’s own website and dated.
  • Commercial ties disclosed. Featured placements are always labeled. Comparison data and sorting follow the same rules for every provider.