title: Fine structural observations on the human sperm nuclear matrix.
abstract: The nucleus of the mammalian sperm is formed after a series of morphological and biochemical changes during spermatogenesis. The human sperm nucleus, after sequential extraction with detergents, nuclease and ammonium sulfate, consists of a fibroskeletal structure which maintains the original nuclear shape. The chromatin-depleted skeleton is formed by thick and thin fibers as well as electron-dense patches of different sizes. These highly branched matrix fibers had average diameters of 35 and 12 nm. Polarization of the fibroskeletal structure is apparent and can be used as a good model to study the function of nuclear matrix in nuclear compartmentation in germ cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Cheng-Chew
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Yam
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: P Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Liew
authors.forename: M X
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Ding
mesh_terms: D002843:Chromatin / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D015530:Nuclear Matrix / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013077:Sperm Head / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin