Decondensation of Sperm Chromatin

CALVO JC; ROMANATO M; PIÑEIRO DE CALVO L

Reference Module in Biomedical Research Encyclopedia of Reproduction

Academic Press

Año: 2018; p. 305 - 308

During sperm development, a highly condensed chromatin is formed due to the replacement of histones by other positively charged proteins: the protamines. This renders a stable yet transcriptionally inactive DNA which is carried by sperm to the fertilization site where the oocyte resides. After fertilization, chromatin decondensation must take place to form the male pronucleus. This is accomplished, in rodents and humans, by the concomitant action of glutathione and heparan sulfate, both present in the oocyte cytoplasm.