Fig. 7.

SM and Cer main individual VLCPUFA of pachytene spermatocytes, round spermatids, and epididymal spermatozoa. n-V (hatched bars) and 2-OH V (black bars). Differentiation is shown to entail a notable increase in the proportion of SM and Cer species with 2-OH 28:4n-6 and especially 2-OH 30:5n-6 at the expense of 28:4n-6 and 30:5n-6. Notably, while sperm SM retains its 28:4n-6, sperm ceramides with “normal” VLCPUFA are eliminated with differentiation to spermatozoa. 2-OH V, 2-OH VLCPUFA; n-V, n-VLCPUFA.