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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Detection and Analysis of DNA Damage in Mouse Skeletal Muscle In Situ Using the TUNEL Method
09:54

Detection and Analysis of DNA Damage in Mouse Skeletal Muscle In Situ Using the TUNEL Method

Published on: December 16, 2014

Sperm DNA fragmentation analysis using the TUNEL assay.

Rakesh Sharma1, Jayson Masaki, Ashok Agarwal

  • 1Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA. sharmar@ccf.org

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|September 21, 2012
PubMed
Summary
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The TUNEL assay detects DNA damage in sperm, complementing routine analysis. This guide helps researchers set up TUNEL with flow cytometry or microscopy for sperm DNA assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Semen analysis is crucial for assessing male fertility.
  • DNA damage in sperm can impact fertilization and offspring health.
  • The Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay is a key method for detecting DNA fragmentation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a practical guide for implementing the TUNEL assay in sperm analysis.
  • To enable researchers and clinical facilities to assess sperm DNA integrity.
  • To integrate TUNEL assay with flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy.

Main Methods:

  • Detailed protocol for setting up and performing the TUNEL assay.
  • Guidance on using flow cytometry for high-throughput sperm DNA damage assessment.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Detection and Analysis of DNA Damage in Mouse Skeletal Muscle In Situ Using the TUNEL Method
09:54

Detection and Analysis of DNA Damage in Mouse Skeletal Muscle In Situ Using the TUNEL Method

Published on: December 16, 2014

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects
08:48

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

Published on: April 21, 2022

U-Shaped Horizontal Swimming Technique for Preparing High-Quality Sperm with Low DNA Fragmentation Index
09:16

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  • Instructions for fluorescence microscopy-based TUNEL analysis.

    • Main Results:

    • The TUNEL assay effectively quantifies DNA damage in semen samples.
    • Integration with flow cytometry allows for efficient and objective measurement.
    • Fluorescence microscopy offers a visual assessment of DNA fragmentation.

    Conclusions:

    • The TUNEL assay is a valuable addition to standard semen analysis.
    • This practical guide facilitates the adoption of TUNEL for sperm DNA integrity testing.
    • Accurate assessment of sperm DNA damage can improve reproductive outcomes.