# Evaluation of Sperm DNA Fragmentation in Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia Patients Using Two Different Techniques: TUNEL and Sperm Chromatin Dispersion Assays

## TL;DR

This study compares two methods for detecting sperm DNA fragmentation in men with infertility and finds one method to be more accurate.

## Contribution

The study evaluates and compares the effectiveness of TUNEL and SCD assays for detecting sperm DNA fragmentation in OAT patients.

## Key findings

- TUNEL assay showed better predictive ability for OAT patients compared to SCD.
- MDA levels were significantly higher in the OAT group than in the control group.
- The TUNEL test was found to be a more accurate predictor for OAT patients.

## Abstract

Background: Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) is the most prevalent male
infertility condition that is mainly caused by sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF).
This study compared the sensitivity and effectiveness of two different
approaches for analyzing SDF in patients with OAT: sperm chromatin dispersion
(SCD) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL).
Materials and Methods: In this study, which received ethical committee approval,
participants were divided in to normal and OAT groups (n=20 for each). both
TUNEL and SCD assays were used to analyze the sperm DNA fragmentation. And
Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels was measured to determine levels of lipid
peroxidation in the seminal plasma.Results: The TUNEL assay showed better
ability to predict OAT patients than that of the SCD. For our patient
population, the projected cut-off points for the DNA fragmentation index of 29%
and 19% were reported using the TUNEL and SCD tests, respectively. Seminal
levels of MDA were significantly higher in the OAT group (P=0.002) than that of
control group. Conclusion: OAT patients showed higher MDA levels of seminal
plasma and DNA fragmentation than the control group. Although sperm DNA
fragmentation can be detected with high efficiency and sensitivity using both
TUNEL and SCD assays, the TUNEL test was found to be a more accurate predictor
for OAT patients.