Chou JS, Jacobson JD, Patton WC, King A, Chan PJ. Modified isocratic capillary electrophoresis detection of cell-free DNA in semen.
J Assist Reprod Genet 2005;
21:397-400. [PMID:
15672952 PMCID:
PMC3455857 DOI:
10.1007/s10815-004-7527-6]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE
The objectives were: i) to analyze semen for the presence of cell-free DNA and ii) to determine the association between sperm parameters and cell-free DNA.
METHODS
Cell-free DNA in semen (N = 25 cases) were detected using the modified capillary gel electrophoresis (CE) procedure. SYBR-Gold was used to stain high (12 Kb) and low (1 Kb) molecular weight DNA fragments and the images analyzed.
RESULTS
The quantity of low-molecular weight cell-free DNA was positively correlated to rapid progression, curvilinear velocity (>40 microm/s), normal strict morphology and capacitation index. High-molecular weight cell-free DNA intensity index was negatively correlated to post-wash hyperactivation. Sperm concentration was not related to cell-free DNA quantity. The sperm freezing process did not increase cell-free DNA but reduced the more labile low-molecular weight cell-free DNA.
CONCLUSIONS
Cell-free DNA present in semen was correlated to important sperm parameters linked to normal sperm function. The data suggested the possible use of cell-free DNA as a marker of semen quality. This study reports on the novel finding of cell-free DNA released along with sperm during each ejaculation.
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