Changes of elemental concentrations around and on the surface of fowl sperm membrane during maturation in the male reproductive tract and after in vitro storage.

X-ray microprobe analysis was performed to investigate the changes of elemental concentrations around or on the membrane of the head, midpiece, and principal piece regions of individual fowl spermatozoa during maturation in the male reproductive tract and after storage in vitro at 4 degrees C. The pattern of change of elemental concentrations during maturation and postejaculation was, in general, similar in the three different subcellular regions; i.e., concentrations of sodium, potassium, chlorine, and calcium decreased gradually during sperm passage through the male reproductive tract and after storage. Phosphorus concentration remained almost constant in the male tract and decreased gradually after storage. In contrast, magnesium, zinc, and copper concentrations showed an interesting pattern: concentrations increased significantly during maturation to a maximum at ejaculation and decreased again after storage. The ratios of sodium to potassium in the midpiece region showed patterns similar to those of magnesium, zinc, and copper concentrations.