Sperm basic proteins in cervical carcinogenesis: Correlation with socioeconomic class
Reid, B.L.; French, P.W.; Singer, A.; Hagan, B.E.; Coppleson, M.
Lancet 2(8080): 60-62
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0140-6736 PMID: 78293 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(78)91378-8Document Number: 497221
2 types of basic protein a histone and a protamine, were separated from single ejaculates of human sperm and a ratio between their contents in a given number of sperm established. The ratio varied widely in different males and correlated with ranking by social class: the lower the social class, the greater the proportion of protamine. Statistically similar correlations link social class with the incidence of venereal disease and incidence of carcinoma in situ of the cervix, both of which are epidemiological variables in squamous cervical cancer. The basic proteins of the sperm head, especially the protamines, may thus also have a role in the etiology of squamous cervical cancer.