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. 2020 Apr 22;26:e918746-1–e918746-11. doi: 10.12659/MSM.918746

Table 1.

Detection methods of sperm DNA fragmentation with their advantages and disadvantages.

Detection methods Advantage Deficiency References
Sperm Chromatin Structure Analysis (SCSA)
  • Large detection capacity

  • Lower mutation rate <2%

  • Highly comparable data

  • Sensitivity and specificity

  • Indirect assessment of DNA damage

  • Lower predictive power

[37,38,39]
Terminal Transferase-mediated dUTP end Labeling (TUNEL)
  • Uses flow cytometry

  • High accuracy

  • Low mutation rate <3.4%

  • Direct or indirect assessment

  • Needs aseptic operation

  • Microscope with low sensitivity to testing SDF

[39,40,41]
Single-Cell Gel Electrophoresis (SCGE)
  • Sensitivity and specificity

  • Rapid and cheap

  • Simple and repeatable

  • Related to detection thresholds, operating conditions

[39,42,43]
Sperm Chromatin Diffusion Experiment (SCD)
  • Easy to perform

  • Cheap materials

  • Higher accuracy

  • Avoids deep coloring

  • Indirectly assesses DNA damage

[39,44,45]
DNA Flow Cytometry (FCM)
  • Higher sensitivity and specificity

  • Objective and quick

  • Needs fresh specimens and unsecured tissue

[39,46,47]