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7425182 
Journal Article 
Gene Expression and Epididymal Function 
Cornwall, GA; Lareyre, JJ; Matusik, RJ; Hinton, BT; Orgebin-Crist, MC; , 
2002 
Springer US 
Boston, MA 
The Epididymis: From Molecules to Clinical Practice 
169-199 
The epididymis is a long convoluted tubule through which spermatozoa must pass to acquire the functions of progressive motility and fertility. Since spermatozoa entering the epididymis are, for the most part, synthetically inactive, the process of sperm maturation is thought to involve the interaction of spermatozoa with proteins that are synthesized and secreted by the epididymal epithelium. The epididymal epithelial cells secrete proteins in a highly regulated and regionalized manner such that spermatozoa encounter luminal fluid proteins in a specific sequence. Indeed, each region within the epididymis is its own microenvironment uniquely controlled by the cells’ differential response to extracellular signals and mediated by specific signaling molecules and DNA binding proteins ultimately resulting in region-specific gene expression and secretion of proteins. To understand the complex process of sperm maturation, therefore, not only requires the identification of secretory proteins which interact with spermatozoa but also knowledge of specific signal transduction pathways and regulatory proteins involved in this highly orchestrated series of events. Recently, significant progress has been made towards our understanding of epididymal function by the application of transgenic and gene inactivation approaches to examine gene regulation and function in the epididymis. The objectives of this review are to discuss region-specific expression of genes expressed exclusively or predominantly in the epididymis, the mechanisms regulating this tissue- and region-specific gene expression, and the value of transgenic technology for understanding epididymal function.