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Cited by 395Sperm and Testicular FunctionGenomics and Chromatin DynamicsReproductive Biology and Fertility

Function of sperm chromatin structural elements in fertilization and development

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Ward, W. S.·2010·Molecular Human Reproduction
DOI 10.1093/molehr/gap080PMC PMC2790366
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Abstract

Understanding how DNA is packaged in the mammalian sperm cell has important implications for human infertility as well as for the cell biology. Recent advances in the study of mammalian sperm chromatin structure and function have altered our perception of this highly condensed, inert chromatin. Sperm DNA is packaged very tightly to protect the DNA during the transit that occurs before fertilization. However, this condensation cannot sacrifice chromosomal elements that are essential for the embryo to access the correct sequences of the paternal genome for proper initiation of the embryonic developmental program. The primary levels of the sperm chromatin structure can be divided into three main categories: the large majority of DNA is packaged by protamines, a smaller amount (2-15%) retains histone-bound chromatin and the DNA is attached to the nuclear matrix at roughly 50 kb intervals. Current data suggest that the latter two structural elements are transferred to the paternal pronucleus after fertilization where they have important functional roles. The nuclear matrix organization is essential for DNA replication, and the histone-bound chromatin identifies genes that are important for embryonic development. These data support the emerging view of the sperm genome as providing, in addition to the paternal DNA sequence, a structural framework that includes molecular regulatory factors that are required for proper embryonic development.

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  • Sperm DNA integrity is a pre-requisite for proper embryo development, implantation, and pregnancy.

    “Sperm DNA integrity is a pre-requisite for proper embryo development, implantation, and pregnancy [31]”

    From The Sixth Edition of the WHO Manual for Human Semen Analysis: A Critical Review and SWOT Analysis (2021) · cites this paper as [31]

    The Implications section (page unavailable) says sperm chromatin structures are probably required for proper embryonic development and recommends preserving paternal DNA integrity in assisted reproduction. The Introduction also says DNA integrity affects ART outcomes. The paper does not establish DNA integrity as a prerequisite for implantation or pregnancy, and its developmental conclusion is qualified rather than absolute. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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Research works printed but not linked: 68

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Authors
Ward, W. S.
Affiliations
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (US)
Corresponding author
Ward, W. S.
ORCID
Ward, W. S.
Venue
Molecular Human Reproduction
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2009-09-11
Volume
16
Issue
1
Pages
30-36
ISSN
  • 1360-9947 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2407
DOI
10.1093/molehr/gap080
PMC
PMC2790366
OpenAlex
W2131449314
Cited by
395
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 31 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 41 · 2020: 30 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 31 · 2012: 23
FWCI
2.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Molecular Human Reproduction (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Division of Graduate Education
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD060722, HD-28501)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Biology and Fertility
Keywords
sperm chromatin structure, protamine, nuclear matrix, fertilisation (biology), paternal pronucleus, embryonic development, DNA replication, infertility, paternal genome
MeSH terms
Chromatin, Histones, Humans, Male, Models, Biological, Protamines, Spermatozoa, Nuclear Matrix

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