Electrophoretic Characteristics of Nuclear Proteins from Human Spermatozoa

Abstract

A comparative electrophoretic analysis of nuclear proteins was investigated in ejaculated human semen. The results confirm the biochemical heterogeneity of nucleoproteins in sperm with normal routine parameters and demonstrate the same heterogeneity in semen with defective routine parameters: nucleoproteins comprise histones, intermediate proteins, and protamines in the two groups. Individual qualitative and quantitative differences are observed within and between the two groups. The results allow a better knowledge of nuclear characteristics of ejaculated human spermatozoa but it does not permit the establishment of a relationship between biochemical heterogeneity of sperm nucleus and decreased fertility.

Key Words:

• Human
• Spermatozoa
• Electrophoresis
• Nucleoproteins