Changes of chromosomal basic proteins of rats have been followed during transformation of spermatids into spermatozoa in the testis and during maturation of spermatozoa in the epididymis. Rat testis chromatin has been fractionated on the basis of differing sensitivity to shearing, yielding a soluble fraction and a condensed fraction. The sperm histone is found in the condense fraction. Somatic-...

I t is well know that the nuclei of spermatogenic cells experience one of the most extremely marked chromatin changes known in cells. At the end of spermatogenesis, the histones are removed in many species and the DNA is condensed by the highly positively charged protamines forming highly compact nucleoprotamine complexes. In the human mature sperm cell, the nucleoprotamine complexes condense m...

The CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) is an architectural protein that governs chromatin organization and gene expression in somatic cells. Here, we show that CTCF regulates chromatin compaction necessary for packaging of the paternal genome into mature sperm. Inactivation of Ctcf in male germ cells in mice (Ctcf-cKO mice) resulted in impaired spermiogenesis and infertility. Residual spermatozoa in C...

We evaluated the effect of varicocelectomy on semen parameters and levels of sperm DNA damage in infertile men. A total of 75 infertile men with varicocele and 40 fertile men (controls) were included in this study. Semen analysis and sperm DNA damage expressed as the DNA fragmentation index using acridine orange staining and chromatin condensation test by flow cytometry were assessed before and...

Inheritance of paternal genetic information requires proper sperm development and DNA packaging. A proteomic analysis of sperm chromatin in Caenorhabditis elegans has identified conserved proteins that are important for the transmission of sperm DNA and for male fertility. Published: 1 December 2006 Genome Biology 2006, 7:124 (doi:10.1186/gb-2006-7-12-244) The electronic version of this article...

A cell-free cytoplasmic preparation from activated Rana pipiens eggs could induce in demembranated Xenopus laevis sperm nuclei morphological changes similar to those seen during pronuclear formation in intact eggs. The condensed sperm chromatin underwent an initial rapid, but limited, dispersion. A nuclear envelope formed around the dispersed chromatin and the nuclei enlarged. The subcellular d...

Using high performance liquid chromatography we have successfully purified four core histones from mature human sperm chromatin. The H2A variants present in sperm (H2A.X and limited H2A.Z) have been shown previously to be minor variants in somatic chromatin. The histones are highly modified as evidenced by extensive acetylation and an as yet uncharacterized multicharge modification of H2B. Base...

Background: Varicocele is considered as a common cause of male infertility and can affect spermatogenesis. In addition, it also predisposed sperm to chromatin damage and morphological alternation. Other factors, such as environmental and genetic conditions also predispose sperm to these conditions. To answer this question, we aimed to evaluation of DNA fragmentation and protamine deficiency thr...

The hypothesis to be tested was that abnormal sperm chromatin structure is related to disturbed spermatogenesis in patients with testicular cancer. After orchiectomy but before further treatment ("pretreatment"), semen samples from 39 patients with testicular cancer were analyzed for sperm concentration by light microscopy and by the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). In 28 patients assess...

BACKGROUND There are few studies indicating the detrimental effects of ibuprofen on sperm fertility potential and DNA integrity. OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of Ibuprofen on sperm parameters, chromatin condensation and DNA integrity of mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this experimental study, 36 adult male mice with average weight 37 gr were divided into three groups, including control ...