# MALE REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY

> **NIH NIH R37** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · 1994 · $256,110

## Abstract

The long term objective of this research is the elucidation of the
mechanisms which are responsible for the development of sperm
fertilizing capacity in the mammalian epididymis.  As spermatozoa
pass through the epididymis, they are sequentially exposed to
varying epididymal environments created by the secretion and
absorption of epididymal cells.  The working hypothesis is that the
maturation of the sequential plasma membrane necessary for sperm-
egg interaction is dependent upon the sequential interaction with
hormonally controlled epididymal secretory proteins.  The following
procedures have been developed: 1) maintenance in vitro of
epididymal explants where the interaction between all the cells of
a region and their 3-dimensional structural relationship are
preserved, and 2) isolation and culture of viable epithelial and
peritubular epididymal cells.

The specific objectives of this proposal are 1) to study protein
and glycoprotein synthesis and secretion by epididymal cells.  This
will be studied, after incorporation of labeled sugar and amino
acids, by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and immunoprecipitation; 2) to
study the hormonal control of protein and glycoprotein synthesis
and secretion; 3) to determine the binding of secreted proteins and
glycoprotein to epididymal spermatozoa and their effect first on
sperm-egg binding and then on sperm fertilizing ability; 4) to
determine the regional differences in epididymal secretion and
secretion-sperm interactions: 5) to study the epididymal secretion
of glycosidases which can modify the sperm surface; 6) to study
glycosidase inhibitor-induced changes in structure and function of
secreted epididymal and sperm glycoproteins; 7) to study epididymal
secretion and secretion-sperm interaction in mice bearing single
gene mutations with normal sperm production, sperm morphology,
sperm motility, and low fertility.  Rabbits, rats, and mice will
be used.  These studies should provide important insights into the
problem of male fertility.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2194830
- **Project number:** 5R37HD003820-25
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** GTNBNWXJ12D5
- **Principal Investigator:** MARIE-CLAIRE ORGEBIN-CRIST
- **Activity code:** R37 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $256,110
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1993-11-30 → 1996-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2194830

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2194830, MALE REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY (5R37HD003820-25). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2194830. Licensed CC0.

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