title: Technologies for the study of epididymal-specific genes.
abstract: Sperm maturation occurs during transit through the epididymis. Interactions between the epididymal epithelium and the sperm are crucial for the maturation process. Analyses of existing male-infertile mouse lines have begun to enumerate some of the genes involved. Recent advances in transgenic technologies to generate temporally and spatially restricted targeted gene disruptions show promise for progress in understanding sperm maturation. Gene silencing agents, such as RNAi, to manipulate gene expression may prove useful for the analysis of epididymal genes involved in the maturation process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia Health System, School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0732, USA. rjl6n@virginia.edu
authors.forename: R John
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lye
authors.forename: Barry T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Hinton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D004822:Epididymis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D018390:Gene Targeting / Q000379:methods*; D007248:Infertility, Male; D008297:Male; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012313:RNA; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012313:RNA