Comparative analysis of tests used to assess sperm chromatin integrity and DNA fragmentation

Dutta, Sulagna; Henkel, Ralf; Agarwal, Ashok

doi:10.1111/and.13718

Cited by 36 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 218 publications

(280 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This may explain a high proportion (31.3%) of participants reporting the use of more than one assessment for OS. Although there are numerous SDF testing methods for diagnostic and research use, with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), sperm chromatin structure analysis (SCSA), and sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) being most commonly used, these tests remain unstandardized and without clinical consensus [ 38 43 44 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Survey of Reproductive Specialists to Determine the Clinical Utility of Oxidative Stress Testing and Antioxidant Use in Male Infertility

Agarwal

Finelli

Selvam

et al. 2021

World J Mens Health

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose The use of antioxidants is common practice in the management of infertile patients. However, there are no established guidelines by professional societies on antioxidant use for male infertility. Materials and Methods Using an online survey, this study aimed to evaluate the practice pattern of reproductive specialists to determine the clinical utility of oxidative stress (OS) testing and antioxidant prescriptions to treat male infertility. Results Responses from 1,327 participants representing 6 continents, showed the largest participant representation being from Asia (46.8%). The majority of participants were attending physicians (59.6%), with 61.3% having more than 10 years of experience in the field of male infertility. Approximately two-thirds of clinicians (65.7%) participated in this survey did not order any diagnostic tests for OS. Sperm DNA fragmentation was the most common infertility test beyond a semen analysis that was prescribed to study oxidative stress-related dysfunctions (53.4%). OS was mainly tested in the presence of lifestyle risk factors (24.6%) or sperm abnormalities (16.3%). Interestingly, antioxidants were prescribed by 85.6% of clinicians, for a duration of 3 (43.7%) or 3–6 months (38.6%). A large variety of antioxidants and dietary supplements were prescribed, and scientific evidence were mostly considered to be modest to support their clinical use. Results were not influenced by the physician's age, geographic origin, experience or training in male infertility. Conclusions This study is the largest online survey performed to date on this topic and demonstrates 1) a worldwide understanding of the importance of this therapeutic option, and 2) a widely prevalent use of antioxidants to treat male infertility. Finally, the necessity of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines from professional societies is highlighted.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Survey of Reproductive Specialists to Determine the Clinical Utility of Oxidative Stress Testing and Antioxidant Use in Male Infertility

Agarwal

Finelli

Selvam

et al. 2021

World J Mens Health

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Moreover, sperm DNA damage will inhibit embryo development, reduce implantation ability, and result in pregnancy failure [48,49]. Bochenek et al [50] reported a decrease in fertility in bulls with sperm DNA damage greater than 10%.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential of sperm bovine protamine as a protein marker of semen production and quality at the National Artificial Insemination Center of Indonesia

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background and Aim: Protamine (PRM) is the major protein in the sperm nucleus and plays an essential role in its normal function. Moreover, PRM has great potential as a protein marker of semen production and quality. This study aimed to assess the potential of sperm bovine PRM as a protein marker of semen production and quality in bulls at the National Artificial Insemination (AI) Center of Indonesia. Materials and Methods: The semen production capacity of each bull was collected from frozen semen production data at the Singosari AI Center for 6 months, and was then divided into two groups (high and low). A total of 440 frozen semen straws from six Limousin (LIM), six Friesian Holstein (FH), six Peranakan Ongole (PO), and four Aceh bulls aged 4-5 years were used in the study. The frozen semen was used to measure the concentration of PRM1, PRM2, and PRM3 using the enzyme immunoassay method. The frozen semen was also used to assess the quality of the semen, including progressive motility (PM) through computer-assisted semen analysis, sperm viability through eosin–nigrosin analysis, and the DNA fragmentation index through Acridine Orange staining. Results: PRM1 was significantly higher in all bull breeds included in the study (p<0.00), followed by PRM2 (p<0.00) and PRM3 (p<0.00). PRM1 significantly affected semen production in LIM, FH, PO, and Aceh bulls (p<0.05). Moreover, PRM2 significantly affected semen production only in FH and Aceh bulls (p<0.05), whereas PRM3 affected this parameter in PO and Aceh bulls exclusively (p<0.05). Consistently and significantly, PRM1 was positively correlated with the PM and viability of sperm and negatively associated with its DNA fragmentation in LIM, FH, PO, and Aceh bulls (p<0.05; p<0.01). The correlation analysis between PRM2 and PRM3 and semen quality parameters varied across all bull breeds; some were positively and negatively correlated (p<0.05; p<0.01), and some were not correlated at all. Conclusion: PRM1 has excellent potential as a protein marker of semen production and quality in bulls at the National AI Center of Indonesia.

show abstract

“…In the last decades, testing sperm chromatin defects has turned into a reliable biomarker of seminal quality in humans and animals (13,14). As sperm DNA breaks are known to be important for the diagnosis of male infertility in humans (15), few reports were focused on elucidating whether or not this sperm quality parameter could predict the reproductive efficiency of production animals (16)(17)(18)(19).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…DNA fragmentation can be analyzed directly, using techniques such as TUNEL and Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (also known as Comet assay), or indirectly, through methods like Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA) and Sperm Chromatin Dispersion test (SCD test or halo assay). These indirect techniques determine the amount of DNA damage through the differential chromatin decondensation of fragmented DNA (2,14,20).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Direct but Not Indirect Methods Correlate the Percentages of Sperm With Altered Chromatin to the Intensity of Chromatin Damage

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although sperm chromatin damage, understood as damage to DNA or affectations in sperm protamination, has been proposed as a biomarker for sperm quality in both humans and livestock, the low incidence found in some animals raises concerns about its potential value. In this context, as separate methods measure different facets of chromatin damage, their comparison is of vital importance. This work aims at analyzing eight techniques assessing chromatin damage in pig sperm. With this purpose, cryopreserved sperm samples from 16 boars were evaluated through the following assays: TUNEL, TUNEL with decondensation, SCSA, alkaline and neutral sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) tests, alkaline and neutral Comet assays, and chromomycin A3 test (CMA3). In all cases, the extent of chromatin damage and the percentage of sperm with fragmented DNA were determined. The degree of chromatin damage and the percentage of sperm with fragmented DNA were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) in direct methods (TUNEL, TUNEL with decondensation, and alkaline and neutral Comet) and CMA3, but not in the indirect ones (SCD and SCSA). Percentages of sperm with fragmented DNA determined by alkaline Comet were significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with TUNEL following decondensation and CMA3; those determined by neutral Comet were correlated with the percentage of High DNA Stainability (SCSA); those determined by SCSA were correlated with neutral and alkaline SCD; and those determined by neutral SCD were correlated with alkaline SCD. While, in pigs, percentages of sperm with fragmented DNA are directly related to the extent of chromatin damage when direct methods are used, this is not the case for indirect techniques. Thus, the results obtained herein differ from those reported for humans in which TUNEL, SCSA, alkaline SCD, and alkaline Comet were found to be correlated. These findings may shed some light on the interpretation of these tests and provide some clues for the standardization of chromatin damage methods.

show abstract

Comparative analysis of tests used to assess sperm chromatin integrity and DNA fragmentation

Cited by 36 publications

References 218 publications

A Global Survey of Reproductive Specialists to Determine the Clinical Utility of Oxidative Stress Testing and Antioxidant Use in Male Infertility

A Global Survey of Reproductive Specialists to Determine the Clinical Utility of Oxidative Stress Testing and Antioxidant Use in Male Infertility

The potential of sperm bovine protamine as a protein marker of semen production and quality at the National Artificial Insemination Center of Indonesia

Direct but Not Indirect Methods Correlate the Percentages of Sperm With Altered Chromatin to the Intensity of Chromatin Damage

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About