The work covers the fundamental principles of sperm chromatin architecture and function, the proposed modes of DNA damage and repair, the tests of sperm DNA damage, the clinical aspects of DNA damage and the impact of DNA damage on reproductive outcome.

Sperm Chromatin: An Overview.- Spermatogenesis: An Overview.- Sperm Nucleoproteins.- The Relationship Between Chromatin Structure and DNA Damage in Mammalian Spermatozoa.- Chromosome Positioning in Spermatozoa.- Sperm Mitochondrial DNA.- The Sperm Epigenome.- RNA Expression in Germ Cells During Spermatogenesis (Germ Cell Transcriptome).- Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA®): 30 Years’ Experience with the SCSA®.- Sperm Chromatin Dispersion Test: Technical Aspects and Clinical Applications.- Basic and Clinical Aspects of the Sperm Chromomycin A3 Assay.- Cytochemical Tests for Sperm Chromatin Maturity.- Acridine Orange Test for Assessment of Human Sperm DNA Integrity.- Laboratory Evaluation of Sperm Chromatin: TUNEL Assay.- The Basic and Clinical Aspects of the Sperm Comet Assay.- Assays Used in the Study of Sperm Nuclear Proteins.- Sperm Epigenetic Profile.- Clinical Significance of Sperm RNA.- Role of Oxidative Stress in the Etiology of Sperm DNA Damage.- Abortive Apoptosis and Sperm Chromatin Damage.- Spermiogenesis in Sperm Genetic Integrity.- Male Subfertility and Sperm Chromatin Damage.- Aging and Sperm DNA Damage.- Cancer in Males: Implications for Sperm Quality, Fertility, and Progeny Outcome.- Sperm Chromatin and Environmental Factors.- Effects of Male Accessory Gland Infection on Sperm Parameters.- The Impact of Sperm Processing and Cryopreservation on Sperm DNA Integrity.- Structure of Chromatin in Human Sperm Bound to Hyaluronic Acid: The Benefits of PICSI Dish Mediated Sperm Selection.- Electrophoretic Sperm Separation.- Antioxidants and Sperm DNA Damage.- Sperm Chromatin and ART (IUI, IVF, and ICSI) Pregnancy.- Sperm DNA Damage and Pregnancy Loss After IVF/ICSI.- Postnatal Effects of Sperm Chromatin Damage.- Evaluation of Chromatin and DNA Integrity in Testicular Sperm.- The Alkaline Comet Assay.- Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA).- Measurement of DNA Damage in Spermatozoa by TUNEL Assay.- Clinical Utility of Sperm DNA IntegrityTests

Sperm DNA damage is common and has been associated with reduced rates of conception, impaired embryonic development and increased risk of miscarriage. Although the exact causes of sperm DNA damage are unknown, it is clear that infertile men possess substantially higher levels of sperm DNA damage than do fertile men. Written by leading, internationally renowned clinicians and basic scientists with expertise in sperm DNA, Sperm Chromatin: Biological and Clinical Applications in Male Infertility and Assisted Reproduction provides readers with a thoughtful and comprehensive review of the biological and clinical significance of sperm DNA damage. The work covers the fundamental principles of sperm chromatin architecture and function, the proposed modes of DNA damage and repair, the tests of sperm DNA damage, the clinical aspects of DNA damage and the impact of DNA damage on reproductive outcome. Unlike any other title on the topic, Sperm Chromatin: Biological and Clinical Applications in Male Infertility and Assisted Reproduction is an invaluable addition to the literature and will serve as an indispensable resource for basic scientists with an interest in sperm biology and for urologists, gynecologists, reproductive endocrinologists, and embryologists working in the field of infertility.

From the reviews:“This is a comprehensive and detailed presentation of the role of sperm chromatin in reproductive health and disease. … Basic scientists in andrology, embryologists, and clinicians dedicated to the treatment of the infertile couple are the intended audience. The editors are field experts in the clinical and laboratory assessment of infertility … . This work is unique in this field and it offers an excellent compilation of laboratory advances in the assessment of sperm health.” (Irvin H. Hirsch, Doody’s Review Service, December, 2011)

Unique, comprehensive text on biological and clinical aspects of DNA sperm damage and repair Written by a team of international experts Discusses all current and commonly used techniques in diagnosing and repairing sperm DNA damage