The Epididymis

Robaire, Bernard; Hinton, Barry T.; Orgebin‐Crist, Marie‐Claire

doi:10.1016/b978-012515400-0/50027-0

Cited by 197 publications

(330 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

257

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Clear cells are large endocytic cells interspersed between principal cells within the caput, corpus, and cauda regions, and are characterized by an apical region with numerous coated pits, vesicles, endosomes, multivesicular bodies, lysosomes, as well as lipid droplets [5,9,[18][19][20][21]. The endocytic activity of clear cells is greater than that of any other cell type in the epididymis, and is particularly active in the cauda [8,19].…”

Section: Overview Of Epididymal Morphology and Functionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…These changes include net water, Na þ , Cl À , and HCO 3 À reabsorption, K þ secretion, and luminal acidification [36]. In general, the secretions function to protect, stabilize, or modify the sperm surface, with the end product being spermatozoa that are viable, motile, and able to fertilize an egg [5,33,37,38].…”

Section: Overview Of Epididymal Morphology and Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to sperm ''maturation,'' the epididymis also plays an important role in sperm transport, protection, and storage [5,10,32,33]. The formation of this luminal environment is the result of net secretory and absorptive processes of the epithelium, which continually changes along the duct [5,34,35].…”

Section: Overview Of Epididymal Morphology and Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These regions are further subdivided by connective tissue septa into discrete intraregional zones with compartmentalized gene expressions [1]. Each zone has distinct and overlapping functional properties that stem from structural and molecular differences among the five basic epithelial cell types [4,5]: principal, narrow, apical, clear, and basal cells (Fig. 2).…”

Section: Overview Of Epididymal Morphology and Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Estrogen, Efferent Ductules, and the Epididymis

Joseph¹,

Shur²,

Hess³

2010

Biology of Reproduction

117

106

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Estrogen's presence in the male reproductive system has been known for over 60 years, but its potential function in the epididymis remains an important area of investigation. Estrogen is synthesized by germ cells, producing a relatively high concentration in rete testis fluid. There are two estrogen receptors (ESR), the presence of which in the head of the epididymis is well documented and consistent between species; however, in other regions of the epididymis, their expression appears to be isotype, species, and cell specific. ESR1 is expressed constitutively in the epididymis; however, its presence is downregulated by high doses of estrogen, making the design of experiments complicated, as the phenotype of the Cyp19a1(-/-) mouse does not resemble that of the Esr1(-/-) mouse. Ligand-independent and DNA-binding Esr1 mutant models further demonstrate the complexity and importance of both signaling pathways in maintenance of efferent ductules and epididymis. Data now reveal the presence of not only classical nuclear receptors, but also cytoplasmic ESR and rapid responding membrane receptors; however, their importance in the epididymis remains undetermined. ESR1 regulates ion transport and water reabsorption in the efferent ducts and epididymis, and its regulation of other associated genes is continually being uncovered. In the male, some genes, such as Aqp9 and Slc9a3, contain both androgen and estrogen response elements and are dually regulated by these hormones. While estrogen pathways are a necessity for fertility in the male, future studies are needed to understand the interplay between androgens and estrogens in epididymal tissues, particularly in cell types that contain both receptors and their cofactors.

show abstract

Section: Overview Of Epididymal Morphology and Functionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Overview Of Epididymal Morphology and Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Overview Of Epididymal Morphology and Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Overview Of Epididymal Morphology and Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Estrogen, Efferent Ductules, and the Epididymis

Joseph¹,

Shur²,

Hess³

2010

Biology of Reproduction

117

106

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Control (n = 9) Flutamide (n = 10) activities of epididymal epithelium in that region [32,34]. Specific secretory and absorptive activities are then pivotal to sperm maturation [32,35].…”

Section: Tablementioning

confidence: 99%