V. Schwaab et al., Characterization, regulation of the expression and putative roles of two glutathione peroxidase proteins found in the mouse epididymis, J REPR FERT, 1998, pp. 157-162
Two glutathione peroxidase genes (gpx5 and gpx3) were found to be expressed
in the mouse epididymis. Gpx5 was shown to be epididymis specific and rest
ricted to the caput epididymidis, while gpx3 was found to be expressed in a
wide array of tissues including the caput, corpus and cauda epididymides.
Both single copy genes are regulated by androgens as well as being developm
entally regulated during postnatal ontogenesis of the epididymis. In this r
eport data collected to date concerning the mechanisms by which these genes
are regulated in the mouse epididymis are summarized. The putative roles o
f these antioxidant enzymes in the sperm maturation process are discussed.