Figure 4

The effect of age on DNA fragmentation and chromatin packaging. DNA fragmentation was assessed using the TUNEL assay, while chromatin packaging was evaluated using the chromomycin A₃ (CMA₃) staining. Sixty one oligoasthenoteratozoospermic patients were divided into two age subgroups (20–34 years old, n = 30; 35–50 years old, n = 31). Forty nine healthy fertile controls were also divided according to their age (20–34 years old, n = 26; 35–50 years old, n = 23). In the control group, the differences observed between the two age subgroups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05; Figure 4A, 4B). On the other hand, the older patient subgroup demonstrated a significantly higher percentage of TUNEL positive (P < 0.001; Figure 4A) and CMA₃ stained (P < 0.001; Figure 4B) spermatozoa compared to the younger patient subgroup.