[Immunocytological distribution of HP1 group protamines in human testes and ejaculated spermatozoa].

Specific antisera have been obtained against the purified human sperm protamine HP1b. The specificity of antibodies was assessed in dot-blot and western-blot assays. Antibodies showed high binding to protamine HP1 group. Nevertheless cross-reactivity between HP1 and the other protamines (HP2 - HP3 - HP4) could not be excluded. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that protamines HP1 were detected in nuclei of ejaculated sperm after chromatin decondensation. In testis, they appeared in nuclei of elongating spermatids.