title: Replicative intermediates of ram sperm mitochondrial DNA.
abstract: Replication of mtDNA from ejaculated ram spermatozoa was demonstrated by electron microscopy. Twelve percent of mtDNA circular molecules isolated either from ram sperm cells or from rat liver mitochondria were double-forked. These replicative intermediates appeared in four distinct steps of replication: 3.9%, 21.0%, 27.8%, and 44% of the circular contour length. The biological significance of sperm mitochondrial DNA replication is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004261:DNA Replication; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012756:Sheep; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial