[Advances in the studies of cell-free seminal DNA].
Cell-free DNA, also referred to as extracellular DNA, has been detected in many kinds of human body fluids, including blood plasma, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, amniotic fluid, and seminal plasma. At present, cell-free DNA has been reported widely as promising noninvasive biomarkers for disease diagnosis and research. Recent years have witnessed some progress in the studies of the general characteristics of cell-free DNA, such as its concentration, extent of molecular weight, origin and existing forms, as well as in its clinical application. Cell-free seminal DNA has been proposed as promising noninvasive biomarkers for the studies and diagnosis of male idiopathic infertility, and the early diagnosis, treatment evaluation and outcome prediction of testicular germ cell tumors and prostatic cancer. This review summarizes the general characteristics and biological functions of cell-free DNA, and outlines the research status and application perspective of cell-free seminal DNA.
Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wu-han, Hubei 430030, China.
Chun-Lin
CL
Wu
Hong-Gang
HG
Li
Chang-Hong
CH
Zhu
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D004247:DNA; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*
D015415:Biomarkers; D004247:DNA