Sperm basic proteins in cervical carcinogenesis: Correlation with socioeconomic class.
Two types of basic protein, a histone and a protamine, were separated from single ejaculates of human sperm and a ratio between their contents in a given number of sperm established. The ratio varied widely in different males and correlated with ranking by social class: the lower the social class, the greater the proportion of protamine. Statistically similar correlations link social class with the incidence of venereal disease and the incidence of in-situ carcinoma of the cervix, both of which are epidemiological variables in squamous cervical cancer. The basic proteins of the sperm head, especially the protamines, may thus also have a role in the aetiology of squamous cervical cancer.
D002273:Carcinogens; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000209:etiology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006657:Histones / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations; D011479:Protamines / Q000032:analysis; D012923:Social Class; D013077:Sperm Head / Q000032:analysis*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000032:analysis*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*
D002273:Carcinogens; D006657:Histones; D011479:Protamines