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Human Cervical Mucus Can Act in Vitro as a Selective Barrier Against Spermatozoa Carrying Fragmented DNA and Chromatin Structural Abnormalities

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Abstract

Purpose : We have carried out experiments to determine if human cervical mucus can act as an in vitro selective barrier against spermatozoa morphologically normal that carry genetic structural abnormalities.

Methods : Sperm chromatin abnormalities have been evaluated by Chromomycin A3 and “endogenous” nick translation.

Results : The data obtained have shown that spermatozoa possessing higher levels of DNA protamination are more proficient in crossing the cervical mucus barrier. Moreover, the levels of positivity to endogenous nick translation treatment was practically zero in such spermatozoa.

Conclusions : We suggest that sperm penetration of cervical mucus could be used to select sperm preparations free of fragmented DNA or chromatin structural abnormalities for assisted reproduction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinic of Sterility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

    P.G. Bianchi, A. De Agostini, J. Fournier & N. Tarozzi

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy

    C. Guidetti & G.C. Manicardi

  3. Istituto di Biologia e Genetica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy

    D. Bizzaro

Authors
  1. P.G. Bianchi
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  2. A. De Agostini
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  3. J. Fournier
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  4. C. Guidetti
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  5. N. Tarozzi
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  6. D. Bizzaro
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  7. G.C. Manicardi
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Bianchi, P., De Agostini, A., Fournier, J. et al. Human Cervical Mucus Can Act in Vitro as a Selective Barrier Against Spermatozoa Carrying Fragmented DNA and Chromatin Structural Abnormalities. J Assist Reprod Genet 21, 97–102 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JARG.0000029492.54243.3c

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JARG.0000029492.54243.3c

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