Current Assessment of Sperm DNA Integrity

Abstract

Conventional semen analysis is rapidly losing its place as the gold standard of diagnosis and the cornerstone of treating the infertile male in modern times. Recent technology allows scientists to analyze sperm fertilizing potential and subsequent embryonic growth by studying factors that have previously escaped traditional parameters. It has become increasingly evident that nuclear DNA arrangement is essential to the fertilizing potential of sperm. A vast array of tests are now available to examine the genetic makeup of individual spermatozoa, ranging the entire gamut from simple bench top assays performed routinely to complex flow cytometric assays requiring highly-skilled technologists. Future research to compare these new tests to those more commonly in use, correlating them with reproductive outcome promises to fill the current void in the field of male infertility, paring innovative diagnostic (and prognostic) technological standards to the already existing sophisticated assortment of successful treatment modalities.

KEYWORDS:

• male infertility
• nDNA
• sperm assessment
• sperm chromatin

Notes

Abbreviations: ART: Artificial Reproductive Treatment, nDNA: nuclear Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid, SCSA: Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay, AO: Acridine Orange (stain), DFI: DNA Fragmentation Index, HDS: High DNA Stainability, TUNEL: Terminal dUTP Nick-End Labeling (assay), SCD: Sperm Chromatin Dispersion (test), AB: Aniline Blue (stain), TB: Toluidine Blue (stain), ADI: Abnormal nDNA Index, HA: Hyaluronic Acid, MACS: Magnetic-Activated Cell Sorting, PS: PhosphatidylSerine, IUI: Intra-Uterine Insemination.