title: Estrogen and its receptors in efferent ductules and epididymis.
abstract: Estrogens play key roles in the development and maintenance of male  reproductive function and fertility. In this review, we briefly describe the  localization and function of estrogen receptors ESR1 and ESR2 (also known as  ERα and ERβ, respectively) and the expression of G  protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 (GPER, formerly known as GPR30) in  efferent ductules and epididymis. The efferent ductules present the highest  levels of ESR1 and ESR2 in the male reproductive system, and represent a major  target of estrogen action. In efferent ductules, ESR1 has a crucial role in  the regulation of fluid reabsorption, and in the epididymis the receptor helps  to maintain fluid osmolality and pH. ESR1 expression in the epididymal  epithelium shows considerable variation among species, but differences in  laboratory techniques may also contribute to this variation. Here we report  that Esr1 mRNA and protein are higher in corpus than in other regions  of the rat epididymis. The mRNA level for Gper was also higher in  corpus. Although ESR1 is expressed constitutively in efferent ductules and  down-regulated by estrogen, in the epididymis, both testosterone (T) and  estradiol (E2) may regulate its expression. T and E2 are, respectively, higher  and lower in the corpus than in the initial segment/caput and cauda regions.  It is important to determine the expression of GPER, ESR1, androgen receptor,  and their respective cofactors in specific cell types of this tissue, as well  as the intracellular signaling pathways involved in efferent ductules and  epididymis. These studies will help to explain the consequences of exposures  to environmental endocrine disruptors and provide potential targets for the  development of a male contraceptive.
authors: Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA. rexhess@illinois.edu
authors: Rex A
authors: RA
authors: Hess
authors: Sheilla A F
authors: SA
authors: Fernandes
authors: Gisele R O
authors: GR
authors: Gomes
authors: Cleida A
authors: CA
authors: Oliveira
authors: Maria F M
authors: MF
authors: Lazari
authors: Catarina S
authors: CS
authors: Porto
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002417:Cattle; D006224:Cricetinae; D004285:Dogs; D004543:Ejaculatory Ducts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D000882:Haplorhini; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled