Transgenic technologies for the study of epididymal function

Sperm mature and acquire the capacity for fertilization during their transit through the epididymis, however Little is known of the molecular events that comprise sperm maturation. Recent advances in transgenic mouse technology hold promise for illumination of this process. Most of the existing infertile, transgenic mouse lines seem to have defects in epithelial structure or sperm transport rather than direct defects in the maturation of sperm. Temporally and spatially restricted targeted disruptions of epididymal specific genes should provide great insight into the epididymal contribution to sperm maturation.