The comet assay in male reproductive toxicology |
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Authors: | A Baumgartner E Cemeli D Anderson |
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Institution: | (1) Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of Bradford, Richmond Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, UK |
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Abstract: | Due to our lifestyle and the environment we live in, we are constantly confronted with genotoxic or potentially genotoxic
compounds. These toxins can cause DNA damage to our cells, leading to an increase in mutations. Sometimes such mutations could
give rise to cancer in somatic cells. However, when germ cells are affected, then the damage could also have an effect on
the next and successive generations. A rapid, sensitive and reliable method to detect DNA damage and assess the integrity
of the genome within single cells is that of the comet or single-cell gel electrophoresis assay. The present communication
gives an overview of the use of the comet assay utilising sperm or testicular cells in reproductive toxicology. This includes
consideration of damage assessed by protocol modification, cryopreservation vs the use of fresh sperm, viability and statistics.
It further focuses on in vivo and in vitro comet assay studies with sperm and a comparison of this assay with other assays
measuring germ cell genotoxicity. As most of the de novo structural aberrations occur in sperm and spermatogenesis is functional
from puberty to old age, whereas female germ cells are more complicated to obtain, the examination of male germ cells seems
to be an easier and logical choice for research and testing in reproductive toxicology. In addition, the importance of such
an assay for the paternal impact of genetic damage in offspring is undisputed. As there is a growing interest in the evaluation
of genotoxins in male germ cells, the comet assay allows in vitro and in vivo assessments of various environmental and lifestyle
genotoxins to be reliably determined. |
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Keywords: | Comet assay Reproductive toxicology Sperm |
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