Authors: Golan, R.; Cooper, T.G.¹; Oschry, Y.²; Oberpenning, F.¹; Schulze, H.¹; Shochat, L.²; Lewin, L.M.²

Source: Human Reproduction, Volume 11, Number 7, July 1996 , pp. 1457-1462(6)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Abstract:

Inasmuch as caput epididymal and even testicular spermatozoa are now being used to generate pregnancies by direct injection into the oocyte, differences in the chromatin of spermatozoa from proximal and distal locations in the epidldymis were studied. Acridine Orange staining was used to investigate chromatin structure in human spermatozoa which had left the testis and were undergoing maturation in the epididymis. Measurement of green and red fluorescence Intensities of human spermatozoa by flow cytometry demonstrated a decrease in binding of Acridine Orange to DNA as the spermatozoa traversed the epididymis. Using spermatozoa from the cauda epididymis as the standard, the percentages of spermatozoa from the efferent duct, proximal corpus epididymis, midcorpus epididymis, distal corpus epididymis, proximal cauda epidldymis and distal cauda epididymis that had matured with regard to chromatin condensation were 28 ± 5, 39 ± 3, 49 ± 5, 64 ± 5, 69 ± 6 and 74 ± 4% respectively. It may be concluded that eggs fertilized by ejaculated spermatozoa receive a more highly condensed form of chromatin than that received by eggs Inseminated with proximal epididymal or testicular spermatozoa.

Keywords: Acridine Orange; chromatm condensation; epididymis; flow cytometry; human spermatozoa

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: , 2: <institution>Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Interdepartmental Equipment Facility, Sackler Medical School</institution> <addr-line>Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel</addr-line>,

Publication date: 1996-07-01

More about this publication?

• Human Reproduction features full-length, peer-reviewed papers reporting original research, clinical case histories, as well as opinions and debates on topical issues. Papers published cover the scientific and medical aspects of reproductive physiology and pathology, endocrinology, andrology, gonad function, gametogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, implantation, pregnancy, genetics, genetic diagnosis, oncology, infectious disease, surgery, contraception, infertility treatment, psychology, ethics and social issues. The highest scientific and editorial standard is maintained throughout the journal along with a rapid rate of publication.

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• In this Subject: Anatomy & Physiology ,  Obstetrics & Gynecology
• By this author: Golan, R. ;  Cooper, T.G. ;  Oschry, Y. ;  Oberpenning, F. ;  Schulze, H. ;  Shochat, L. ;  Lewin, L.M.

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