Removal of zinc from subcellular regions of human spermatozoa by EDTA treatment studied by X‐ray microanalysis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The distribution of Zn in the head, neck and mid-piece of human ejaculated spermatozoa was investigated with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. EDTA treatment within 1 h after ejaculation caused removal of 80-90% of the Zn in these regions. Storage for 24 h in own seminal plasma did not alter sperm Zn content. However, these aged spermatozoa only lost 35% of their Zn content on EDTA treatment. The stronger binding of Zn, occurring upon storage in seminal plasma, developed in all 3 parts of the cell investigated. These results are is discussed in the light of the role of Zn in nuclear chromatin decondensation ability and sperm head-tail connection.