Autoimmune regulator deficiency causes sterile epididymitis and impacts male fertility through disruption of inorganic physiology.

Unlabelled: Autoimmune regulator (AIRE), a transcription factor expressed by medullary thymic epithelial cells, is required for shaping the self-antigen tolerant T cell receptor repertoire. Humans with mutations in suffer from Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome Type 1 (APS-1). Among many symptoms, men with APS-1 commonly experience testicular insufficiency and infertility, but the mechanisms causing infertility are unknown.