Shayu Deshpande, Hardy Matthew P, Rao A Jagannadha
Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
Soc Reprod Fertil Suppl. 2007;63:31-43.
Maturation of sperm within the epididymis is a pre-requisite for fertilization in mammals. Epididymal function is controlled by a complex array of hormones and growth factors. While testosterone is the primary stimulus for epididymal development and sperm maturation, the importance of estrogen effects on efferent ductules has been increasingly recognized, and points to a need to clarify the role of estrogen receptor-mediated action in the epididymis. Estrogens modulate the expression of genes involved in fluid absorption in the efferent ductules and the epididymis. The present review highlights the role of estrogen in regulation of epididymal gene expression.
附睾内精子的成熟是哺乳动物受精的前提条件。附睾功能受一系列复杂的激素和生长因子调控。虽然睾酮是附睾发育和精子成熟的主要刺激因素，但雌激素对输出小管作用的重要性已得到越来越多的认识，这表明有必要阐明雌激素受体介导的作用在附睾中的作用。雌激素可调节输出小管和附睾中参与液体吸收的基因表达。本综述重点介绍了雌激素在调节附睾基因表达中的作用。
