Abstract
THE maturation of spermatozoa during passage through the mammalian epididymis, involves changes in motility, metabolism, morphology, biochemical properties and the development of the ability to fertilise ova1. This maturation process, and the maintenance of fertilising ability, is dependent on androgen2. When testosterone levels are lowered by castration or hypophysectomy, sperm from the cauda epididymis have immature acrosomes (guinea pig)3 and lowered fertilising ability (rat)4. These effects are prevented by testosterone treatment. Since reduction of testosterone levels enhances the rate of epididymal sperm transport4,5, the incomplete maturation could result from spermatozoa spending insufficient time in critical regions of the epididymis, as well as from a decreased ability of the epididymis to promote sperm maturation. We demonstrate here that oestrogen and testosterone affect one aspect of sperm maturation in mice by altering the rate of epididymal sperm transport, and also affect fertility.
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