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Sperm Chromatin pp 201–215Cite as

Laboratory Evaluation of Sperm Chromatin: TUNEL Assay

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Abstract

Routine semen analysis is unable to assess alterations in sperm chromatin organization such as DNA damage. Because fertility is based not only on the absolute number of spermatozoa but also on their functional capability, methods for exploring sperm DNA stability and integrity are being used to evaluate fertility disorders. A large number of direct and indirect tests that measure sperm DNA damage have been developed. This chapter focuses on one of those tests – the terminal deoxytransferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end-labeling or TUNEL assay – which is increasingly being used in many laboratories.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Andrology Laboratory and Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, OB-GYN and Women’s Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Rakesh Sharma PhD

  2. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, OB-GYN and Women’s Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Ashok Agarwal PhD, HCLD (ABB)

Authors
  1. Rakesh Sharma PhD
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  2. Ashok Agarwal PhD, HCLD (ABB)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rakesh Sharma PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. St. Mary's Hospital, Div. Urology, McGill University, Lacombe Avenue 3830, Montreal, H3T 1M5, Québec, Canada

    Armand Zini

  2. Lerner College of Medicine, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Avenue 9500, Cleveland, 44195, Ohio, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

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Sharma, R., Agarwal, A. (2011). Laboratory Evaluation of Sperm Chromatin: TUNEL Assay. In: Zini, A., Agarwal, A. (eds) Sperm Chromatin. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6857-9_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6857-9_14

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1781-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-6857-9

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