Rat testis elongating spermatids and epididymal sperms were collected after 7 weeks of treatment with Tripterygium wilfordii monomer T4. Total nuclear basic protein (TNBP) was extracted from the elongating spermatid nuclei and the sperm nuclei isolated by sonication. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis has beep used to separate the TNBP and individual proteins were quantified by scanning microdensitometry. It was found that the content of protamine was reduced and the TH (Total Histones) /RP (Rat Protamine) ratios were increased following treatment in the testis elongating spermatids, and same result was found in the epididymal sperms. These results suggest that the interruption of nuclear protein transition of testis spermatids induced by T4 might cause aberrant epididymal sperm nuclear protein and lead to infertility. The relationship between protamine and fertility was discussed.
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