Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Evaluation of Fertilization State by Tracing Sperm Nuclear Morphology in Arabidopsis Double Fertilization
Published on: August 29, 2019
Sperm chromatin alterations in fertile and subfertile bulls
Elisson Terêncio Souza1, Cláudio Vieira Silva1, Bruno Augusto Nassif Travençolo2
1Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, CEP 38400-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Abstract:
Alterations in sperm chromatin have been related with subfertility in several mammals. In this study, chromatin alteration types (Base, Basal half, Central axis, Dispersed, and Whole) were assessed by toluidine blue (TB) staining, 6-diamidino-2-fenilindole (DAPI) and anti-protamine 1 antibody (anti-PR1) labeling in sperm samples of fertile and subfertile bulls. Semen samples were obtained from bulls kept in Artificial Insemination Center (fertile bulls) or from bulls subjected to scrotal insulation (subfertile bulls). The percentage of chromatin alterations identified by TB was similar (P > 0.05) in semen samples of fertile and subfertile bulls. In contrast, a greater (P < 0.01) chromatin decondensation and heterogeneity were recorded in semen samples of subfertile bulls. In DAPI and anti-PR1 methods, the subfertile bulls samples had a higher (P < 0.05) percentage of alteration in the base as well as overall chromatin alterations (P < 0.05). Moreover, the chromatin alterations recorded with TB, DAPI, and anti-PR1 were compared in semen samples of fertile and subfertile bulls. In fertile bulls, the overall chromatin alterations were similar (P > 0.05) among the methods In contrast, semen samples of subfertile bulls had a higher (P < 0.05) percentage of overall chromatin alterations when labeled with DAPI. In conclusion, our findings shown that all dye tested had specific sperm stainability and can be feasible to monitor subfertility condition in bulls. Also, different chromatin alteration types in sperm samples of fertile and suberftile bulls were recorded.
Related Concept Videos
Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the...
Chromatin Packaging
The chromatin
In combination with specialized DNA binding protein called Histones, the DNA double helix forms a compact DNA: protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin itself is further compacted into higher-order...
Fertilization
Spreading of Chromatin Modifications
Writers
The writer...
Inheritance of Chromatin Structures
Sperm Transport
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...

