Estrogen and Its Receptors in Efferent Ductules and Epididymis

Abstract

Estrogens play key roles in the development and maintenance of male reproductive function and fertility. In this review, we briefly describe the localization and function of estrogen receptors ESR1 and ESR2 (also known as ERa and ERb, respectively) and the expression of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 (GPER, formerly known as GPR30) in efferent ductules and epididymis. The efferent ductules present the highest levels of ESR1 and ESR2 in the male reproductive system, and represent a major target of estrogen action. In efferent ductules, ESR1 has a crucial role in the regulation of fluid reabsorption, and in the epididymis the receptor helps to maintain fluid osmolality and pH. ESR1 expression in the epididymal epithelium shows considerable variation among species, but differences in laboratory techniques may also contribute to this variation. Here we report that Esr1 mRNA and protein are higher in corpus than in other regions of the rat epididymis. The mRNA level for Gper was also higher in corpus. Although ESR1 is expressed constitutively in efferent ductules and down-regulated by estrogen, in the epididymis, both testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) may regulate its expression. T and E2 are, respectively, higher and lower in the corpus than in the initial segment/caput and cauda regions. It is important to determine the expression of GPER, ESR1, androgen receptor, and their respective cofactors in specific cell types of this tissue, as well as the intracellular signaling pathways involved in efferent ductules and epididymis. These studies will help to explain the consequences of exposures to environmental endocrine disruptors and provide potential targets for the development of a male contraceptive.

Steroid regulation of early postnatal development in the corpus epididymidis of pigs

“…This observation further supports a local response to E 2 . The presence of GPER in the rat corpus epididymidis (Hess et al 2011) and in the corpus epididymidis of the young pig is consistent with this hypothesis.…”

The Epididymis: Embryology, Structure, Function And Its Role In Fertilization And Infertility

“…In addition to testosterone and other androgenic-derived metabolites, estrogen has been reported to target epididymal epithelial cells (Hess et al, 2001(Hess et al, , 2011. The presence of two estrogen receptors (ESR) types in the head of the epididymis, as well as in other regions of the epididymis, has been well documented.…”

“…The presence of two estrogen receptors (ESR) types in the head of the epididymis, as well as in other regions of the epididymis, has been well documented. Their expression appears to be isotype-, species-, and cell-specific (Hess et al, 2001(Hess et al, , 2011. Recent studies have shown that the luminal fluid reabsorption that occurs in the efferent ductules and in the initial segment of the epididymis is regulated by estrogen.…”

“…Recent studies have shown that the luminal fluid reabsorption that occurs in the efferent ductules and in the initial segment of the epididymis is regulated by estrogen. The estrogen present in the epididymis also regulates the transport of fluid through the duct and is responsible for increasing the concentration of sperm as they enter the caput of the epididymis (França et al, 2005;Hess et al, 2011). Estrogen assists in the maintenance of a differentiated epithelial morphology, which means that it is absolutely necessary for the process of enhancing fertility in the male (Kobayashi & Behringer, 2003).…”

Effects of Short-Term Treatment with Estrogen Receptor Agonist on Morphological Changes in Reproductive Organs of Adult Male Mice

“…The ER antagonist ICI inhibits fluid reabsorption in the efferent ductules, resulting in a swollen luminal diameter and decreased epithelial cell height (Cho et al, 2003;Hess et al, 2011;Oliveira et al, 2003). In the present study, a high PPT concentration caused similar results as the ICI treatment in the efferent ductules.…”