The dog as a model system to study epididymal gene expression

Advances in understanding the role of the epididymis in human sperm maturation and fertility are dependent upon the availability of appropriate model systems in which to examine regulatory mechanisms and functions in a controllable fashion. Of a number of mammalian species studied by us and others, we suggest that the dog epididymis offers an excellent compromise in terms of the similarity of the specific genes expressed to those in the human, their mode of regulation, and the availability of tissues suitable for cell culture studies. We have developed a set of important tools in the form of epididymis-specific canine cDNA clones and cell culture methods, with which to examine the functioning of the epididymal epithelial cells in vitro, as well as the expression of specific genes in vivo, under normal and pathological conditions (e.g. cryptorchidism). Using this model system, we have elaborated the regional patterns of gene expression in vivo for several of the major secretory protein genes of the canine epididymis, and we have examined the importance of androgens and temperature on gene expression in vitro.