Ejaculatory sequence in men with low sperm chromatin-zinc

Int J Androl. 1991 Jun;14(3):174-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.1991.tb01079.x.

Abstract

The composition of seminal plasma in the sperm-rich split ejaculate fraction was studied in a group of men with a low zinc content in their sperm chromatin, to evaluate the availability of zinc at ejaculation. Men with low-chromatin zinc had, in the sperm-rich split-ejaculate fraction, high amounts of seminal-vesicular fluid, a low zinc:fructose molar ratio, and a high percentage of zinc bound to high molecular weight ligands of seminal vesicular origin (HMW-Zn). This indicates premature admixture of vesicular fluid at ejaculation. It is suggested that the zinc:fructose molar ratio and HMW-Zn in the sperm-rich fractions could be used as a measure of the availability of zinc in seminal plasma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chromatin / metabolism*
  • Ejaculation*
  • Electron Probe Microanalysis
  • Fructose / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / metabolism
  • Infertility, Male / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prostatic Diseases / metabolism
  • Spermatozoa / metabolism*
  • Zinc / metabolism*

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Fructose
  • Zinc