Cadmium interacts with the zinc-dependent stability of the human sperm chromatin.
Zinc normally participates in the stabilization of the chromatin of human spermatozoa, which have a high content of zinc after ejaculation. Sperm chromatin, depleted of zinc with EDTA, regained stability in the detergent SDS after exposure to Cd2+ in vitro. This effect was reversible with EDTA, but albumin could not reverse the stabilization caused by Cd2+ to the same extent as it reversed the stabilization caused by Zn2+.
Casswall
T H
TH
Department of Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Björndahl
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L
Kvist
U
U
D002104:Cadmium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000187:drug effects*; D004492:Edetic Acid; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*; D015032:Zinc / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*
D002843:Chromatin; D002104:Cadmium; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; D004492:Edetic Acid; D015032:Zinc