Rapid post-ejaculatory inhibitory effect of seminal plasma on sperm nuclear chromatin decondensation ability in man

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Abstract
Stability of the nuclear chromatin in human spermatozoa soon after ejaculation was studied by exposing the cells to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) 1-20 min after ejaculation. Semen samples were obtained from men with apparently normal and from men with impaired prostatic secretion (= subnormal seminal plasma [Zn]). Sperm nuclear resistance to decondensation in SDS increased in both groups during the first 15 min after ejaculation, but was significantly lower in the semen samples with subnormal [Zn]. This fast post-ejaculatory increment in sperm SDS resistance was significantly reduced by a 5 .times. saline dilution of the semen at the time of ejaculation. The stabilization with time may be illusory or a prostatic component may counteract an intrinsic nuclear chromatin decondensation (NCD) process initiated by SDS derangement of spermatozoal membranes.