DNA integrity is considered an important parameter of semen quality and is of significant value as a predictor of male fertility. Currently, there are several methods that can assess sperm DNA integrity. One such assay is the comet assay, or single-cell gel electrophoresis, which is a simple, sensitive, reliable, quick and low-cost technique that is used for measuring DNA strand breaks and repair at the level of individual cells. Although the comet assay is usually performed with somatic cells from different organs, the assay has the ability to detect genotoxicity in germ cells at different stages of spermatogenesis. Since the ability of sperm to remove DNA damage differs between the stages, interpretation of the results is dependent on the cells used. In this paper we give an overview on the use and applications of the comet assay on mature sperm and its ability to detect sperm DNA damage in both animals and humans. Overall, it can be concluded that the presence in sperm of significantly damaged DNA, assessed by the comet assay, is related to male infertility and seems to reduce live births. Although there is some evidence that sperm DNA damage also has a long-term impact on offspring's health, this aspect of DNA damage in sperm is understudied and deserves further attention. In summary, the comet assay can be applied as a useful tool to study effects of genotoxic exposures on sperm DNA integrity in animals and humans.

中文翻译：

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彗星试验在评估成熟精子 DNA 损伤中的应用。

DNA 完整性被认为是精液质量的重要参数，并且作为男性生育能力的预测指标具有重要价值。目前，有几种方法可以评估精子 DNA 的完整性。一种这样的测定是彗星测定或单细胞凝胶电泳，它是一种简单、灵敏、可靠、快速和低成本的技术，用于测量单个细胞水平的 DNA 链断裂和修复。虽然彗星试验通常使用来自不同器官的体细胞进行，但该试验能够检测精子发生不同阶段的生殖细胞的基因毒性。由于精子清除 DNA 损伤的能力因阶段而异，因此对结果的解释取决于所使用的细胞。在本文中，我们概述了彗星试验对成熟精子的使用和应用及其检测动物和人类精子 DNA 损伤的能力。总体而言，可以得出结论，通过彗星试验评估，精子中存在严重受损的 DNA 与男性不育有关，并且似乎会减少活产。尽管有证据表明精子 DNA 损伤也会对后代的健康产生长期影响，但精子 DNA 损伤的这一方面尚未得到充分研究，值得进一步关注。总之，彗星试验可以作为一种有用的工具来研究遗传毒性暴露对动物和人类精子 DNA 完整性的影响。彗星试验评估，与男性不育有关，似乎减少了活产。尽管有证据表明精子 DNA 损伤也会对后代的健康产生长期影响，但精子 DNA 损伤的这一方面尚未得到充分研究，值得进一步关注。总之，彗星试验可以作为一种有用的工具来研究遗传毒性暴露对动物和人类精子 DNA 完整性的影响。彗星试验评估，与男性不育有关，似乎减少了活产。尽管有证据表明精子 DNA 损伤也会对后代的健康产生长期影响，但精子 DNA 损伤的这一方面尚未得到充分研究，值得进一步关注。总之，彗星试验可以作为一种有用的工具来研究遗传毒性暴露对动物和人类精子 DNA 完整性的影响。