| Abstract: | Abnormal spermiogenesis in sterile pink-eyed dilution mutants results in spermatozoa with bizarre sperm heads. The spermatozoa of normal mice bind colloidal iron hydroxide (CIH) along the length of the tail, yet the spermatozoa of pink-eyed sterile mice show a great reduction in ability to bind CIH. This implies a loss of negative surface charges. The group(s) responsible for the charges are sensitive to methylation but resistant to neuraminidase treatment, even after deacetylation with alkaline treatment. The membrane components containing the negatively charged groups may be neuraminidase-resistant forms of gangliosides. |
