[Analysis of protamine content in patients with asthenozoospermia].
OBJECTIVE
To study the significance of the change of protamine content in the management of male infertility.


METHODS
Sperm nuclear proteins extracted from 199 infertile patients were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis and scanning microdensitometry.


RESULTS
Forty-two (21%) cases of the total number had normal sperm nuclear proteins and 157 (79%) had aberrant ones, which mainly presented the interruption of HPRR and abnormality of P2 protamine. Thirty patients were selected at random from 157 abnormal cases for clinical treatment. After the treatment, the sperm nuclear proteins were extracted and analyzed and the results demonstrated that 11 cases (36.6%) improved markedly, 5 (16.6%) restored to normal and the other 16 (46.6%) remained unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a reduced level or selective absence or even complete selective absence of protamines in infertile patients. Protamines may act as a parameter for evaluating the treatment effect of infertile males and protamine content can be influenced by a certain or several factors.
Chen
Song
S
Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China. chen1968song@sina.com
Cao
Jian
J
Fei
Ren-Ren
RR
Mao
Quan-Zong
QZ
Li
Han-Zhong
HZ
D000328:Adult; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000378:metabolism*; D011479:Protamines / Q000032:analysis*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry*
D011479:Protamines