Cell viability of bovine spermatozoa subjected to DNA electroporation and DNAse I treatment.

Many mechanisms involved in sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) are still unknown. It is still a matter of debate whether exogenous DNA fragments incorporated by the embryo are originated from those bound to the sperm membrane or by those that penetrated the intracellular compartment. In an attempt to elucidate the transmission mechanism of exogenous DNA molecules by sperm, some authors suggested a treatment with DNAse I to remove DNA molecules outside the sperm.