Specialized gene expression and regulation in the epididymis.
- Author:
Shao-feng CAO
1
;
Chen XU
Author Information
1. Department of Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanhai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Animals;
Epididymal Secretory Proteins;
genetics;
Epididymis;
physiology;
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental;
Male;
Mammals;
Sperm Maturation;
genetics
- From:National Journal of Andrology
2006;12(1):71-74
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The epididymis is a single and highly convoluted tubule system in mammals. The epithelium is the major compartment for epididymal function. Proteins synthesized and secreted by epididymal epithelium provide a special and ever-changing luminal fluid environment for sperm as they progress through the epididymis, which makes sperm achieve motility and ultimately results in sperm functional maturation. Specialized genes expressed in the epididymis have regional-specific characteristics. They are regulated by androgen and/or testicular factors and present spatial and tempel-specialized expression pattern in postnatal development, all these hint that they play important and unique roles in epididymis.
