Abstract
Testosterone is considered the primary sex steroids in man and its metabolite, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), is recognized as the primary hormone that regulates epididymal functions (Orgebin-Crist et al, 1975; Robaire and Viger, 1995). However, estrogen is produced in the male and is found in high concentrations in the semen. Estrogen in the rete testis fluid is now thought to be derived from the conversion of testosterone to estradiol by P450 aromatase found in germ cells of the testis and spermatozoa traversing the reproductive tract. This luminal source of estrogen is thought to be targeting the estrogen receptors (ER) present in the epithelium that lines the male reproductive tract, and in particular the efferent ductule region, where ERα is abundant. However, ERα & ERβ are both found in various regions of the epididymal duct and vas deferens. So, what does estrogen do in the male reproductive system? An answer to this question remains incomplete at this time, as we are only now beginning to reveal some of the potential functions through the use of the transgenic estrogen receptor knockout mice (αERKO and βERKO) and pure antiestrogen compounds. This chapter will cover the following basic topics: 1) the sources of estrogen, 2) the presence of ERα & ERß in the reproductive tract, 3) estrogens and development, 4) data showing that estrogen regulates fluid reabsorption in the efferent ductules, and 5) possible functions in the epididymis and vas deferens.
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References
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Hess, R.A., Zhou, Q., Nie, R. (2002). The Role of Estrogens in the Endocrine and Paracrine Regulation of the Efferent Ductules, Epididymis and Vas Deferens. In: Robaire, B., Hinton, B.T. (eds) The Epididymis: From Molecules to Clinical Practice. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0679-9_18
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