Removal of zinc from subcellular regions of human spermatozoa by EDTA treatment studied by X‐ray microanalysis

Abstract

The distribution of zinc in the head, neck and mid‐piece of human ejaculated spermatozoa was investigated with energy‐dispersive X‐ray microanalysis. EDTA treatment within 1 h after ejaculation caused removal of 80–90% of the zinc in these regions. Storage for 24 h in own seminal plasma did not alter sperm zinc content. However, these aged spermatozoa only lost 35% of their zinc content on EDTA treatment. The stronger binding of zinc, occurring upon storage in seminal plasma, developed in all 3 parts of the cell investigated. These results are discussed in the light of the role of zinc in nuclear chvomatin decondensation ability and sperm head‐tail connection. Copyright © 1982, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved