OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between sperm DNA breakage index (DFI) and embryo development. METHODS: Twenty-six male patients who underwent IVF-ET assisted conception treatment in our center were selected for sperm DNA breakage index (DFI) after masturbation for sperm extraction, and 27% of DFI (n=11) were included as the experimental group with a mean age of (32.27±4.03) years, and their fertilization rate, grade 1 embryo rate and blastocyst rate were compared, respectively. RESULTS: The fertilization rate was (56.73±4.03)% in the control group and (54.36±3.85)% in the experimental group; the rate of grade 1 embryos was (49.27±4.40)% in the control group and (35.27±7.38)% in the experimental group; the rate of blastocysts was (51.80±6.67)% in the control group and (32.45±3.42)% in the experimental group. There was no significant difference in the fertilization rate between the control and experimental groups, while there were significant differences in the rate of ≥7-cell embryos, the rate of grade 1 embryos and the rate of blastocysts. CONCLUSION: The DFI index can be used as a prospective assessment index of embryonic developmental potential before IVF procedures.