How do you get six meters of epididymis inside a human scrotum?

It is very clear that the epididymis plays a crucial role in the maturation of spermatozoa, and without a fully developed and functional epididymis, male infertility will result. We are especially interested in understanding the mechanisms that regulate the development of this important organ because disruptions to epididymal function will also arise as a consequence of abnormal development. Very little is known either of the process of epididymal development or the nature and causes of congenital defects that lead to male infertility.

Gene expression in the efferent ducts, epididymis, and vas deferens during embryonic development of the mouse.

The tissues of the male reproductive tract are characterized by distinct morphologies, from highly coiled to un-coiled. Global gene expression profiles of efferent ducts, epididymis, and vas deferens were generated from embryonic day 14.5 to postnatal day 1 as tissue-specific morphologies emerge.

Expression of the Ladybird-like homeobox 2 transcription factor in the developing mouse testis and epididymis.

Background: Homeoproteins are a class of transcription factors that are well-known regulators of organogenesis and cell differentiation in numerous tissues, including the male reproductive system. Indeed, a handful of homeoproteins have so far been identified in the testis and epididymis where a few were shown to play important developmental roles. Through a degenerate PCR approach aimed at identifying novel homeoproteins expressed in the male reproductive system, we have detected several homeoproteins most of which had never been described before in this tissue.

Differential expression of HOX genes in neoplastic and non-neoplastic human astrocytes.

HOX genes are a large family of regulatory genes implicated in the control of developmental processes. HOX genes are involved in malignant transformation and progression of different types of tumour. Despite intensive efforts to delineate the expression profiles of HOX genes in other cell types, nothing is known regarding the global expression profile of these genes in normal human astrocytes and astrocytomas.

Sonic hedgehog pathway genes are expressed and transcribed in the adult mouse epididymis.

One role of the hedgehog (hh) signaling pathway during development is to assist in establishing pattern orientation in the embryo. The structure and function in the adult epididymis is highly patterned, and since the sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway is known to be functional in the developing male tract and the expression of other pattern-influencing genes has recently been found in the adult epididymis, we have examined the adult mouse epididymis for Shh pathway molecules. Examination was at both the gene and protein level.