[Laser-assisted immobilization causes no direct damage to sperm DNA].
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether laser-assisted immobilization of sperm damages sperm DNA.


METHODS
Twenty-three semen samples were selected from an IVF program. Then normal spermatozoa were obtained by swimming-up method and immobilized with the tail by 0.45 ms pulse laser. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) were used to detect sperm DNA damage.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference either before and after laser treatment in the percentage of TUNEL-positive spermatozoa ([1.32 +/- 0.61]% vs [1.41 +/- 0.51]%, P > 0.05) or in SCGE ([1.59 +/- 0.70]% vs [1.83 +/- 0.68]%, P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Laser-assisted sperm immobilization may cause no direct damage to the sperm DNA.
Xu
Zhi-peng
ZP
Center of Reproductive Medicine, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, China. xzpbio@hotmail.com
Sun
Hai-xiang
HX
Hu
Ya-li
YL
Zhang
Ning-yuan
NY
Zhao
Xia
X
D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa