Sperm DNA Damages and Damage Detection Methods: Current Approachs
2025
Yılmaz Dayanç, Firdevs | Coşkun Çetin, Nurdan
There are many factors affecting male fertility, whose causes are still largely unknown. DNA damage in spermatozoa, in particular, contributes significantly to infertility. Maintaining DNA integrity in sperm is essential for successful fertilization and embryo development. Sources of DNA damage in sperm include errors during chromatin packaging, DNA breaks caused by defective apoptosis, and oxidative stress. These DNA damages are critical for male fertility and lead to issues such as reduced fertilization rates, poor embryo quality, and lower pregnancy rates. While routine examination methods provide a general overview of male fertility, they are often insufficient for a definitive diagnosis of infertility and sterility. For instance, DNA damage has been detected in 15% of spermatozoa with normal values in standard sperm analyses. Additionally, assessing DNA damage in sperm along with functional parameters provides insight into fertilization ability and embryonic development. The goal here is to emphasize the importance of examining sperm DNA to assess male fertility and identify DNA damage and its sources. Common tests used to detect DNA damage include Aniline Blue, Toluidine Blue, Chromomycin A3 (CMA3), Sperm Chromatin Dispersion Test (SCD), TUNEL, Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (COMET), Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA), and Acridine Orange Test (AOT).
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