Gene Expression is Selectively Affected along the Epididymis after Orchidectomy

Gene expression is differentially regulated in the epididymis after orchidectomy.

The epididymis is the site for the transport, maturation, and storage of spermatozoa. Regulation of epididymal structure and function is highly dependent on the ipsilateral testis. At the molecular level, however, few studies have been undertaken to determine which genes are expressed in the epididymis under testicular regulation. The goal of this study was to identify genes for which expressio...

Region-specific gene expression profiling along the human epididymis.

During their transit through the epididymis, spermatozoa undergo many biochemical modifications necessary to acquire flagellar motility and fertilizing ability. These modifications, collectively called sperm maturation, are well orchestrated along the epididymis and depend on highly regionalized gene expression patterns. Based on clinical observations, the role of the epididymis in human sperm ...

Specialized gene expression in the epididymis.

The metamorphosis of an immature and nonfunctional sperm into a mature sperm capable of progressive motility and fertility is thought to be the result of a highly regulated and complex series of events in the epididymis. It is well established that sperm maturation is not intrinsic to sperm cells themselves but requires the interaction of spermatozoa with proteins that are synthesized and secre...

The effect of efferentiectomy and orchidectomy on the metabolism of the epididymis of the mouse.

Gene expression in the aging brown Norway rat epididymis.

The mammalian epididymis is the site where spermatozoa are matured and then stored. Though many studies have described epididymal functions and their regulation, little is known about how aging affects this tissue. The Brown Norway rat, which does not show the many age-related pathologies common to other rat strains, was used as a model to study aging of the epididymis. The present study was de...