The human sperm nucleus takes up zinc at ejaculation.
Ejaculated and vasal sperm were obtained from men referred for vasectomy, and sperm nuclear elements were determined by X-ray microanalysis. Sperm head zinc concentrations, expressed as the ratio Zinc to Sulphur, were significantly higher in ejaculated than in vasal sperm. A physiological sperm nuclear zinc uptake is discussed in relation to sperm chromatin decondensation.
D000328:Adult; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D004542:Ejaculation; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism*
D015032:Zinc