THE NUCLEOPROTAMINE OF TROUT SPERM

Abstract

The nucleoprotamine of trout sperm can be extracted completely with 1 M sodium chloride. On reducing the salt concentration to 0.14 M, physiological saline, the nucleoprotamine precipitates in long, fibrous strands. When the nucleoprotamine, dissolved in M NaCl, is dialyzed all the protamine diffuses through the membrane leaving behind highly polymerized, protein-free desoxyribose nucleic acid. The nucleoprotamine constitutes 91 per cent of the lipid-free mass of the sperm nucleus. While nucleoprotamine is being extracted by M NaCl a stage is reached at which the sperm chromosomes are clearly visible.