This comprehensive, up-to-date text, which brings together the key practical elements of the rapidly evolving field of sperm DNA and chromatin abnormalities, is divided thematically into five main sections. Part I discusses human sperm chromatin structure and nuclear architecture, while part II presents laboratory evaluation of sperm DNA damage, including SCSA, SCD, TUNEL and Comet assays, and cytochemical tests. Biological and clinical factors in the etiology of sperm DNA damage are discussed in part III, including oxidative stress, abortive apoptosis, cancer, and environmental and lifestyle factors. Part IV presents clinical studies on the utility of sperm DNA damage tests, both with natural and ART-assisted pregnancies, and debates the clinical utility of such tests. Finally, part V discusses current treatment options, such as antioxidant therapy, varicocelectomy, advanced sperm processing techniques and the use of testicular sperm.

We are now beginning to better understand the unique organization of the sperm chromatin, as well as the nature and etiology of sperm DNA damage. Written and edited by worldwide experts in andrology, A Clinician's Guide to Sperm DNA and Chromatin Damage is an excellent resource for reproductive medicine and REI specialists, urologists, reproductive biologists and any professional working with the infertile male.

Sperm Chromatin: An Overview

Sperm Nucleoproteins (Histones and Protamines)
Sperm Nuclear Architecture
Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA®): Evolution from Origin to Clinical Utility
TUNEL Assay
TUNEL Assay by Bench Top Flow Cytometer in Clinical Laboratories
The Comet Assay
Sperm Chromatin Dispersion (SCD) Assay
Cytochemical Tests of Sperm Chromatin Maturity
Is There an Optimal Sperm DNA Test?
Oxidative Stress
Apoptosis in Ejaculated Spermatozoa and in the Normal and Pathological Testes: Abortive Apoptosis and Sperm Chromatin Damage
Defective Spermatogenesis and Sperm DNA Damage
Sperm Chromatin and Lifestyle Factors
Cancer and Sperm DNA Damage
Sperm Chromatin and Environmental Factors
Sperm DNA Damage and Oocyte Repair Capability
Experimental Studies on Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Reproductive Outcomes
Sperm DNA and Natural Pregnancy
Sperm DNA and ART (IUI, IVF, ICSI) Pregnancy
Sperm DNA and Pregnancy Loss after IVF and ICSI
Sperm DNA Tests are Clinically Useful: Pro
Sperm DNA Tests Are Clinically Useful: CON
Antioxidant Therapy
Varicocelectomy
Physiological Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Insemination Based on Hyaluronic Acid Binding Ability
Advanced Sperm Processing / Selection Techniques
Use of Testicular Sperm for ICSI: Pro
Debate on the Use of Testicular Sperm for ICSI: Con
Strategies to Diminish DNA Damage in Sperm Samples used for ART
Sperm DNA Testing: Where Do We Go from Here?