Sperm nuclear stability and male infertility

Arch Androl. 1990;25(3):253-9. doi: 10.3109/01485019008987614.

Abstract

Human sperm nuclei show an exceptional variability; compared with sperm nuclei of other Eutherian mammalian species. The variable stability is caused by a variable content of chromatin stabilizing disulphide bridges, which in turn is determined by differences in composition of basic proteins: protamine types and subtypes, histones, and intermediate forms. An abnormal state of the chromatin can be related to an abnormal DNA configuration or an abnormal DNA content: diploid instead of haploid. Abnormality of the nuclear chromatin is probably one of the causes of morphological aberrations of the sperm head. A relationship between abnormal chromatin and male infertility has been reported repeatedly. Recently available evidence suggests that living spermatozoa with abnormal chromatin, leading to abnormal morphology, have a strongly reduced capacity to fertilize an oocyte. In addition, if these spermatozoa fertilize oocytes, the embryonal development will most probably be abnormal.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure*
  • Chromatin / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / etiology*
  • Male
  • Mammals
  • Spermatozoa / cytology*

Substances

  • Chromatin