Changes during puberty in chromatin condensation, morphology and fertilizing ability of epididymal spermatozoa of the golden hamster

Andrologia
R WeissenbergL M Lewin

Abstract

Male golden hamster sperm acquire complete fertilizing ability at about 48 days of age. In this study hamsters, 27-130 days of age were killed and their male reproductive tracts examined. Sperm were found in the caudae epididymides from 37 days onward. None of the sperm from animals younger than 41 days were capable of fertilizing ova when placed in the uteri of superovulated females. Using flow cytometry of acridine-orange-stained cells, the chromatin condensation in cauda epididymal sperm was investigated. It was seen that DNA from sperm from the younger animals (under 40 days of age) was less tightly bound to protamine than that obtained from mature animals. In summary, the earliest sperm produced by pubertal hamsters were immature with regard to chromatin condensation, morphology, motility, and ability to fertilize ova, and they developed mature characteristics in the period between 40-48 days of age.

References

May 1, 1978·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·C M Lubicz-Nawrocki, M C Chang
Jan 1, 1990·Methods in Cell Biology·D P Evenson
Oct 1, 1973·Biology of Reproduction·T D McKinney, C Desjardins
Aug 1, 1984·International Journal of Andrology·R WeissenbergB Lunenfeld
Jul 1, 1981·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·H Krzanowska
Jan 1, 1994·Molecular Reproduction and Development·S YossefiL M Lewin

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Citations

Feb 3, 1999·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·I GozesL M Lewin
Jan 5, 2000·Molecular Reproduction and Development·R GolanL M Lewin
Apr 13, 2012·Theriogenology·M R S FortesG B Boe-Hansen

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