Elisabetta Baldi • Monica Muratori
Editors

2014

The goal of male gametes is to deliver a fully intact and functioning paternal genome to the oocyte. To fulfill this aim, the process of chromatin maturation during spermiogenesis must be correctly completed to guarantee DNA protection during the long journey to reach the oocyte and to properly decondense and form the male pronucleus after fertilization. In this scenario, any condition or agent that can interfere with this complex process represents a threat to safe embryo formation and development and to the birth of healthy offspring.