Research progress on epididymal epithelial cells regulate sperm maturation through the epididymosome
10.3760/cma.j.cn101441-20210813-00346
- VernacularTitle:附睾上皮细胞通过附睾小体调节精子成熟的研究进展
- Author:
Huanan ZHANG
1
;
Zhiwei ZHAO
1
;
Jinhua WEI
1
;
Zhen LI
1
Author Information
1. 空军军医大学人体解剖与组织胚胎学教研室，西安710032
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Epididymis;
Sperm maturation;
Intracellular communication;
Protein trafficking;
Epididymosome
- From:
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception
2022;42(9):974-979
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The spermatozoa produced in mammalian testis are functionally immature for lack of fertilizing ability and forward motility properties. Epididymis is a highly specialized and extremely coiled ductal system of the male reproductive tract. The precise division of the function in each segment is achieved by the combined secretary and absorptive activity of the epithelial cells lining each segment. Thus, spermatozoa acquire functional maturity in the proximal segments before being stored in a resting state in the distal segment preparing for ejaculation. Sperm maturation during epididymal transit is reliant on the highly specialized intraluminal microenvironment of the epididymis. The microenvironment of epididymal lumen is extremely complex, and the fluid contains a variety of inorganic ions, proteins and extracellular vesicles (epididymosome). Various components in epididymosome including kinds of proteins and sncRNA play an important role in regulating sperm maturation directly or indirectly. Here, we review the characteristics of microenvironment in the epididymal lumen, with a particular focus on the effects of epididymosome secreted by epididymal epithelial cells on sperm maturation.
