Effect of low level, short wavelength ultraviolet radiation on sperm chromatin

Objective: To evaluate the effects of low level ultraviolet (UV) radiation on sperm chromatin structure.Methods: The target study was divided into three groups: (i) males with proven fertility (n=40 ) was taken as Group I (control); (ii) Oligoasthenozoospermic (OAT) cases as Group II (n=36); (iii) males with unexplained infertility (MUI) cases (n=42) as Group III. Specific techniques were used to study the impact of UV radiation (Pre and Post UV exposure) on the sperm nuclear DNA viz. Aniline blue staining was for detection of immature chromatin. Chromomycin A3 fluorescence staining was used to determine protamine-DNA dissociation by intense fluorescence of protamine deficient sperm cells and neutral comet assay was for evaluation of DNA fragmentation. Statistical analysis was carried out using Student's t-test (GraphPad Prism Version-6). Level of significance was considered at P