Interference with the formation of the epididymal microenvironment - a newstrategy for male contraception?

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) or the small conductance cAMP-activated chloride channel encoded by the CFTR gene has b een shown to play an important role in the formation of the epididymal flui d microenvironment. Recent work in our laboratory has shown that this prote in is also expressed by developing germ cells indicating a role of this pro tein in spermatogenesis. In view of the fact that the CFTR gene has a far r eaching and widespread effect on human reproduction, understanding the role of CFTR in the male reproductive tissues and its intervention by pharmacol ogical agents can open a new avenue of research into the development of nov el male contraceptives.