Proteomic profiling of mouse epididymosomes reveals their contributions to post-testicular sperm maturation

Abstract

The functional maturation of spermatozoa that is necessary to achieve fertilization occurs as these cells transit through the epididymis, a highly specialized region of the male reproductive tract. A defining feature of this maturation process is that it occurs in the complete absence of nuclear gene transcription or de novo protein translation in the spermatozoa. Rather, it is driven by sequential interactions between spermatozoa and the complex external milieu in which they are bathed within lumen of the epididymal tubule. A feature of this dynamic microenvironment are epididymosomes, small membrane encapsulated vesicles that are secreted from the epididymal soma. Herein, we report compara..