Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41898853›Full record

ReviewGenes2026

DNA Fragmentation Analysis in Human Sperm-Technical Instructions to Prevent False Positives and Negatives in Angle-Modulated Two-Dimensional Single-Cell Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis.

Satoru Kaneko, Yukako Kuroda, Yuki Okada

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Genes, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Satoru KanekoLaboratory of Pathology and Development, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.ORCID 0000-0002-5249-0641
Yukako KurodaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University, Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
Yuki OkadaLaboratory of Pathology and Development, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.ORCID 0000-0003-1159-7271

Funding

Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development A-170 and H-040
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Over the past two decades, numerous studies have examined the etiological significance of DNA fragmentation in human sperm using methods such as the comet assay (CA), the sperm chromatin structure assay, the sperm chromatin dispersion assay, and the TUNEL assay. We developed single-cell pulsed-field gel electrophoresis techniques, including one-dimensional (1D-SCPFGE) and angle-modulated two-dimensional (2D-SCPFGE), to detect early signs of naturally occurring DNA fragmentation. Comparative studies using purified human sperm with and without DNA fragmentation revealed some technical limitations in the conventional methods. This technical review outlines the procedures to ensure the quantitative performance of SCPFGE: (1) The mass of naked DNA was prepared through simultaneous in-gel swelling and proteolysis, which are highly sensitive to chemical and physical factors. Notably, these processes are vulnerable to reactive oxygen species (ROS). We developed the anti-ROS SCPFGE system to prevent artifactual cleavages. (2) 1D-SCPFGE discharges long-chain fibers from the origin, separating fibrous and granular segments beyond the tips of the fibers. (3) During continuous electrophoresis after 150° rotation (2D-SCPFGE-0-150), long-chain fibers unexpectedly extended diagonally backward from the origin, with long fibrous segments pulled out from a bundle that extended during the first electrophoresis, indicating some fibrous segments were embedded within the long-chain fibers. Even when SCPFGE was employed, one-directional current led to false negatives. (4) 2D-SCPFGE with angle rotation is currently the most sensitive imaging method for single-nuclear DNA fibers. However, without knowing the size of DNA fragments, it remains a semi-quantitative analysis. (5) To prevent artifactual DNA cleavage caused by ice crystals, low-temperature liquid storage is recommended. (6) The in-gel proteolyzed naked DNA is suitable as a substrate for chemical and enzymatic DNA cleavage analyses.

Indexed as

DNA FragmentationElectrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-FieldElectrophoresis, Gel, Two-DimensionalSingle-Cell AnalysisSpermatozoaHumansMaleDNA fragmentationfalse-negativefalse-positivehuman spermmale infertilityreactive oxygen speciessingle-cell pulsed-field gel electrophoresistelomere

Identifiers

PMID41898853
PMCPMC13026138

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.