The development of the male reproductive tract is dependent upon androgens and mesenchymal-epithelial interactions. Androgens masculinise the reproductive tract during the latter third of gestation, and are required for the formation of the male sex accessory organs including the prostate and seminal vesicle (Cunha et al., 1987). Studies using tissue recombination have shown that androgen recep...

Acid/base transporters play a key role in establishing an acidic luminal environment for sperm maturation and storage in the male reproductive tract. Impairment of the acidification capacity of the epididymis, via either genetic mutations or exposure to environmental factors, may have profound consequences on male fertility.

Cryptorchidism and retention of Müllerian duct structures occur with high frequency among the male offspring of CD-1 mice treated with 100 micrograms diethylstilbestrol/kg body weight on days 9 through 16 of pregnancy. Hyperplasia of the rete testis and Müllerian duct structures were found in many of the DES-treated male mice, as was a low but significant number of reproductive tract neoplasms.