This is the Most Important Sperm Parameter To Diagnose Male Infertility aslo known as "SPERM DNA FRAGMENTATION TEST". Sperm DNA fragmentation test is a test to determine damage occurring during spermatogenesis , apoptosis in the seminiferous tubule epithelium, defects in chromatin remodeling during the process of spermiogenesis, oxygen radical-induced DNA damage during sperm migration from the seminiferous tubules to the epididymis, the activation of sperm caspases and endonucleases, damage induced by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and the effect of environmental toxicants transport through the reproductive tract. The need to diagnose sperm at a nuclear level is an area that needs further understanding so that we can improve treatment of the infertile couple.

- BACKGROUND

Recently, there is increased emphasis on sperm quality. This is due to the fact that Semen Analysis by itself is of limited value. Sperm is like a very small container with a large amount of DNA crammed inside. DNA is a protien structure that carries all the essential information. The Sperm DNA is susceptible to damage during its journey from site of production to its arrival at egg.

- INDICATIONS

• Repeated miscarriage
• 40 & above aged patient
• Smookers or drug addicts
• People working in chemical industries
• Oligo Astheno Terato zoospermia
• Repeated fertilization failure or Arrested cleavage in ICSI

- STEP BY STEP

• Dilute the semen sample in culture medium
• Spermatozoa immersion in agarose micro gel and spread out on the slide
• Sample treatment with acid denaturation and lysis solution
• Dehydration, stain and microscopic visualization

- SPERM CLASSIFICATION SPERMATOZOA WITHOUT DNA FRAGMENTATION:

- NORMAL SPERMATOZOA:

• Spermatozoa  with big Halo
  • Those whose width is similar or higher than the minor diameter of the core
• Spermatozoa  with medium Halo
  • Their halo size is between those with large and with very small halo
• Spermatozoa  with fragmented DNA
• Spermatozoa  without small Halo
  • The halo width is similar or smaller 1/3 of the minor diameter of the core
• Spermatozoa  without Halo
• Spermatozoa  without Halo & Degraded
  • They show no halo and present a core irregularly or weakly stained

“OTHERS” Cell nuclei which do not correspond to spermatozoa.