Método de TÚNEL: uma ferramenta alternativa para avaliar a integridade do DNA de espermatozóides bovinos.

ABSTRACT: The success of the assisted reproductive techniques (ART) in both humans and domestic animals depends of the semen quality. Since there is no test that alone can predict sperm fertility, as more sperm parameters are analyzed during evaluation, more acurated will the result. The evaluation of the DNA integrity during the exam of bovine fresh and frozen sperm is of fundamental importance to avoid embryonic losses. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay (TUNEL) has been an efficient method to detect sperm DNA fragmentation, avoiding problems of embryonic development and decrease of the animal reproductive efficiency. This work presents and describes with the TUNEL technique (principles, advantages and detailed protocol), indicating this tool to evaluate the bovine sperm DNA