DNA synthetic capabilities of differentiating sperm cells.

Spermatogenic cells separated by velocity sedimentation were analysed by a micro-procedure for differentiation-associated changes in DNA synthetic capabilities. DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity is maximal in premeiotic and meiotic cells, sequentially declines in progressively more differentiated spermiogenic cells to a minimum value in testicular spermatozoa which is 1/14 of the maximum. No further decrease of activity is observed during the subsequent process of sperm cell maturation and, at the end-differentiated state, the potential of sperm cells for DNA synthesis is demonstrated by the presence of substantial activities of thymidine and thymidylate kinases as well as DNA polymerase activity, as determined by in vitro assay, are polymerase. Although levels of DNA polymerase activity, as determined by in vitro assay, are negatively correlated with the state of differentiation, the findings support the hypothesis that, in this cell system, DNA synthetic enzymes may not be limiting factors in the control of DNA synthesis.