<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE root>
<article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:ali="http://www.niso.org/schemas/ali/1.0/" article-type="review-article" dtd-version="1.2" xml:lang="en"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">Morphology</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title xml:lang="en">Morphology</journal-title><trans-title-group xml:lang="ru"><trans-title>Морфология</trans-title></trans-title-group></journal-title-group><issn publication-format="print">1026-3543</issn><issn publication-format="electronic">2949-2556</issn><publisher><publisher-name xml:lang="en">Eco-Vector</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">637310</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.17816/morph.637310</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="edn">PGQPHM</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="toc-heading" xml:lang="en"><subject>Reviews</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="toc-heading" xml:lang="ru"><subject>Научные обзоры</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="article-type"><subject>Review Article</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title xml:lang="en">The Blood–Epididymis Barrier: Morphological, Physiological, Immunological and Seasonal Aspects and the Impact of Destabilizing Factors</article-title><trans-title-group xml:lang="ru"><trans-title>Гематоэпидидимальный барьер: морфологические, физиологические, иммунологические и сезонные аспекты, воздействие дестабилизирующих факторов</trans-title></trans-title-group><trans-title-group xml:lang="zh"><trans-title>血附睾屏障：形态学、生理学、免疫学和季节性特征及其不稳定因素的影响</trans-title></trans-title-group></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author"><contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9569-3585</contrib-id><contrib-id contrib-id-type="spin">4813-0330</contrib-id><name-alternatives><name xml:lang="en"><surname>Ryskulov</surname><given-names>Marat F.</given-names></name><name xml:lang="ru"><surname>Рыскулов</surname><given-names>Марат Фирдатович</given-names></name><name xml:lang="zh"><surname>Ryskulov</surname><given-names>Marat F.</given-names></name></name-alternatives><address><country country="RU">Russian Federation</country></address><bio xml:lang="en"><p>Cand. Sci. (Biology), Associate Professor</p></bio><bio xml:lang="ru"><p>канд. биол. наук, доцент</p></bio><bio xml:lang="zh"><p>Cand. Sci. (Biology), Associate Professor</p></bio><email>mar-star89@yandex.ru</email><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"/></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author"><contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9299-0571</contrib-id><contrib-id contrib-id-type="spin">6952-0466</contrib-id><name-alternatives><name xml:lang="en"><surname>Shevlyuk</surname><given-names>Nikolay N.</given-names></name><name xml:lang="ru"><surname>Шевлюк</surname><given-names>Николай Николаевич</given-names></name><name xml:lang="zh"><surname>Shevlyuk</surname><given-names>Nikolay N.</given-names></name></name-alternatives><address><country country="RU">Russian Federation</country></address><bio xml:lang="en"><p>Dr. Sci. (Biology), Professor</p></bio><bio xml:lang="ru"><p>д-р биол. наук, профессор</p></bio><bio xml:lang="zh"><p>Dr. Sci. (Biology), Professor</p></bio><email>k_histology@orgma.ru</email><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"/></contrib></contrib-group><aff-alternatives id="aff1"><aff><institution xml:lang="en">Orenburg State Medical University</institution></aff><aff><institution xml:lang="ru">Оренбургский государственный медицинский университет</institution></aff><aff><institution xml:lang="zh">Orenburg State Medical University</institution></aff></aff-alternatives><pub-date date-type="preprint" iso-8601-date="2025-04-21" publication-format="electronic"><day>21</day><month>04</month><year>2025</year></pub-date><pub-date date-type="pub" iso-8601-date="2025-06-23" publication-format="electronic"><day>23</day><month>06</month><year>2025</year></pub-date><volume>163</volume><issue>2</issue><issue-title xml:lang="en"/><issue-title xml:lang="ru"/><issue-title xml:lang="zh"/><fpage>106</fpage><lpage>114</lpage><history><date date-type="received" iso-8601-date="2024-10-21"><day>21</day><month>10</month><year>2024</year></date><date date-type="accepted" iso-8601-date="2025-02-20"><day>20</day><month>02</month><year>2025</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement xml:lang="en">Copyright ©; 2025, Eco-Vector</copyright-statement><copyright-statement xml:lang="ru">Copyright ©; 2025, Эко-Вектор</copyright-statement><copyright-statement xml:lang="zh">Copyright ©; 2025,</copyright-statement><copyright-year>2025</copyright-year><copyright-holder xml:lang="en">Eco-Vector</copyright-holder><copyright-holder xml:lang="ru">Эко-Вектор</copyright-holder><ali:free_to_read xmlns:ali="http://www.niso.org/schemas/ali/1.0/" start_date="2027-06-23"/><license><ali:license_ref xmlns:ali="http://www.niso.org/schemas/ali/1.0/">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/</ali:license_ref></license></permissions><self-uri xlink:href="https://j-morphology.com/1026-3543/article/view/637310">https://j-morphology.com/1026-3543/article/view/637310</self-uri><abstract xml:lang="en"><p>Spermatozoa entering the epididymis from the testis are unable to actively move and do not possess fertilizing ability. These functions are acquired within the lumen of the epididymal ducts, where the components of the blood–epididymis barrier create a specialized environment. The blood–epididymis barrier restricts paracellular transport and stimulates receptor-mediated transport of macromolecules across the epididymal epithelium. The blood–epididymis barrier consists of a pseudostratified columnar epithelium resting on a basement membrane, loose connective tissue of the lamina propria, and capillary endothelium located on its own basement membrane. Apical tight junctions and adherens junctions between adjacent principal cells of the pseudostratified epithelium play a key role in the blood–epididymis barrier’s function. Tight junctions are composed of various families of transmembrane proteins. The vascular component of the blood–epididymis barrier features continuous endothelium on an uninterrupted basement membrane. Alongside the epithelial and vascular components, interactions among dendritic cells, macrophages, and lymphocytes are critical in regulating blood–epididymis barrier permeability. In many species, the epididymis consists of 5 to 9 segments, each with distinct morphofunctional and biochemical characteristics. It has been shown that the barrier function becomes progressively more pronounced from the caput toward the cauda of the epididymis. Impaired function of intercellular junctions in the blood–epididymis barrier is considered a factor contributing to male infertility.</p> <p>This review aimed to analyze the data on the morphofunctional organization of the blood–epididymis barrier.</p></abstract><trans-abstract xml:lang="ru"><p>Попадающие из семенника (яичка) в его придаток (эпидидимис) сперматозоиды не могут активно перемещаться и не обладают способностью к оплодотворению. Эти функции сперматозоиды приобретают в просвете канальцев придатка, где компоненты гематоэпидидимального барьера формируют особую среду. Гематоэпидидимальный барьер ограничивает парацеллюлярный транспорт и стимулирует рецептор-опосредованный транспорт макромолекул через эпителий придатка. Гематоэпидидимальный барьер включает псевдомногослойный столбчатый эпителий, лежащий на базальной мембране, рыхлую соединительную ткань собственной пластинки слизистой и эндотелий капилляров, расположенный на базальной мембране. Ведущую роль в функционировании гематоэпидидимального барьера играют апикальные плотные контакты и адгезивные контакты между соседними главными клетками псевдомногослойного эпителия. Составными компонентами плотных контактов являются трансмембранные белки, включающие несколько семейств. Сосудистая часть гематоэпидидимального барьера представлена непрерывным эндотелием, лежащим на непрерывной базальной мембране. Важную роль в регуляции проницаемости гематоэпидидимального барьера наряду с эпителиальным и сосудистым компонентами играют взаимодействия дендритных клеток, макрофагов и лимфоцитов. У особей разных видов в придатке семенника можно выделить от 5 до 9 отделов, различающихся по морфофункциональным и биохимическим характеристикам. Установлено, что выраженность барьерной функции в придатке возрастает от головки к хвосту. Нарушение функций клеточных контактов в гематоэпидидимальном барьере является одним из факторов мужского бесплодия.</p> <p>Цель настоящего обзора — проанализировать данные литературы о морфофункциональной организации гематоэпидидимального барьера.</p></trans-abstract><trans-abstract xml:lang="zh"><p>来自睾丸的精子在进入附睾时尚不具备主动运动能力及受精能力。这些功能是在附睾小管腔内逐步获得的，在该部位，血附睾屏障的各组成成分共同形成了特有的微环境。血附睾屏障限制旁细胞运输，并促进大分子通过附睾上皮的受体介导运输。血附睾屏障包括：位于基底膜上的假复层柱状上皮、固有层内的疏松结缔组织，以及位于自身基底膜上的毛细血管内皮。假复层上皮相邻主细胞之间的顶端紧密连接和黏附连接在血附睾屏障功能中发挥主导作用。紧密连接由多个跨膜蛋白家族构成。血附睾屏障的血管部分由连续性内皮细胞构成，其位于连续的基底膜之上。除上皮与血管结构外，树突状细胞、巨噬细胞和淋巴细胞之间的相互作用在调控血附睾屏障通透性方面也具有重要作用。在不同物种中，附睾可划分为5至9个结构区段，其在形态和生化特性上存在差异。研究显示，附睾的屏障功能从头部至尾部逐渐增强。血附睾屏障中细胞连接功能的破坏是导致男性不育的因素之一。</p> <p>本综述旨在分析文献中关于血附睾屏障形态与功能组织的研究资料。</p></trans-abstract><kwd-group xml:lang="en"><kwd>reproductive system</kwd><kwd>epididymis</kwd><kwd>epithelium</kwd><kwd>blood–epididymis barrier</kwd></kwd-group><kwd-group xml:lang="ru"><kwd>репродуктивная система</kwd><kwd>придаток семенника (яичка)</kwd><kwd>эпителий</kwd><kwd>гематоэпидидимальный барьер</kwd></kwd-group><kwd-group xml:lang="zh"><kwd>生殖系统</kwd><kwd>附睾</kwd><kwd>上皮</kwd><kwd>血附睾屏障</kwd></kwd-group><funding-group/></article-meta></front><body></body><back><ref-list><ref id="B1"><label>1.</label><mixed-citation>Dubé E, Cyr DG. The blood-epididymis barrier and human male fertility. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2012;763:218–236. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-4711-5_11</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B2"><label>2.</label><mixed-citation>Arrotéia KF, Garcia PV, Barbieri MF, et al. The epididymis: Embryology, structure, function and its role in fertilization and infertility. In: Pereira LV, editor. Embryology – Updates and Highlights on Classic Topics. InTech; 2012. doi: 10.5772/35847</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B3"><label>3.</label><mixed-citation>Shevlyuk NN, Blinova EV, Egemberdieva RE, et al. The relationship of gametes and somatic cells of male gonads of vertebrates: evolutionary, age and seasonal aspects, adaptive and reactive transformations under the action of destabilizing factors. Journal of Anatomy and Histopathology. 2023;12(4):76–88. (In Russ.) doi: 10.18499/2225-7357-2023-12-4-76-88 EDN: IOYGCV</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B4"><label>4.</label><mixed-citation>Shevlyuk NN, Ryskulov MF. The appendage of the testis: morphogenesis, structural and functional characteristics in physiological and pathological conditions. Journal of Anatomy and Histopathology. 2022;11(2):87–98. (In Russ.) doi: 10.18499/2225-7357-2022-11-2-87-98 EDN: MQMQUZ</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B5"><label>5.</label><mixed-citation>Mital P, Hinton BT, Dufour JM. The blood-testis and blood-epididymis barriers are more than just their tight junctions. Biol Reprod. 2011;84(5):851–858. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.110.087452</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B6"><label>6.</label><mixed-citation>Cornwall GA. New insights into epididymal biology and function. Hum Reprod Update. 2009;15(2):213–227. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmn055</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B7"><label>7.</label><mixed-citation>Björkgren I, Sipilä P. The impact of epididymal proteins on sperm function. Reproduction. 2019;158(5):R155–R167. doi: 10.1530/REP-18-0589</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B8"><label>8.</label><mixed-citation>Cyr DG, Dufresne J, Gregory M. Cellular junctions in the epididymis, a critical parameter for understanding male reproductive toxicology. Reprod Toxicol. 2018;81:207–219. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2018.08.013</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B9"><label>9.</label><mixed-citation>Han SY, Lee KH. The expression patterns of Connexin isoforms in the rat caput epididymis during postnatal development. Journal of Animal Science and Technology. 2013;55(4):249–255. doi: 10.5187/jast.2013.55.4.249</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B10"><label>10.</label><mixed-citation>Ivanova VV, Mil’to IV, Sukhodolo IV. Contemporary view of the molecular and structural interaction of cells during spermatogenesis in rat. Morphology. 2019;155(3):73–81. (In Russ.) EDN: ZZNEMH</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B11"><label>11.</label><mixed-citation>Cyr DG, Dubé E, Dufresne J, Gregory M. Development of biological tools to study claudins in the male reproductive tract. Methods Mol Biol. 2011;762:259–273. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-185-7_18</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B12"><label>12.</label><mixed-citation>Awobajo FO, Raji Y, Akinloye AK. Histomorphometric changes in the testes and epididymis of Wistar strain albino rats following fourteen days oral administration of therapeutic doses of some antibiotics. International Journal of Morphology. 2010;28(3):1281–1287. doi: 10.4067/s0717-95022010000400047</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B13"><label>13.</label><mixed-citation>Pelletier RM. Blood barriers of the epididymis and vas deferens act asynchronously with the blood barrier of the testis in the mink (Mustela vison). Microsc Res Tech. 1994;27(4):333–349. doi: 10.1002/jemt.1070270408</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B14"><label>14.</label><mixed-citation>Suzuki F, Racey PA. Fine structural changes in the epididymal epithelium of moles (Talpa europaea) throughout the year. J Reprod Fertil. 1976;47(1):47–54. doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0470047</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B15"><label>15.</label><mixed-citation>Lorenzana MG, López-Wilchis R, Gómez CS, Aranzabal MC. A light and scanning electron microscopic study of the epididymis active state of the endemic Mexican rodent Peromyscus winkelmanni (Carleton) (Rodentia: Muridae). Anat Histol Embryol. 2007;36(3):230–240. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0264.2006.00752.x</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B16"><label>16.</label><mixed-citation>Bidway PP, Bawa SR. Correlative study of the ultrastructure and the physiology of the seasonal regression of the epididymal epithelium in the hedgehog Paraechinus micropus. Andrologia. 1981;13(1):20–32. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.1981.tb00003.x</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B17"><label>17.</label><mixed-citation>Cyr DG, Robaire B, Hermo L. Structure and turnover of junctional complexes between principal cells of the rat epididymis. Microsc Res Tech. 1995;30(1):54–66. doi: 10.1002/jemt.1070300105</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B18"><label>18.</label><mixed-citation>Turner TT, D`Addario DA, Howards SS. The blood epididymal barrier to [3H]-inulin in intact and vasectomized hamsters. Invest Urol. 1981;19(2):89–91.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B19"><label>19.</label><mixed-citation>López ML, Fuentes P, Retamal C, De Souza W. Regional differentiation of the blood-epididymis barrier in stallion (Equus caballus). J Submicrosc Cytol Pathol. 1997;29(3):353–63.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B20"><label>20.</label><mixed-citation>Abdel-Maksoud FM, Hussein MT, Attaai A. Seasonal variation of the intraepithelial gland in camel epididymis with special reference to autophagosome. Microsc Microanal. 2019;25(4):1052–1060. doi: 10.1017/S1431927619014557</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B21"><label>21.</label><mixed-citation>Abdel-Maksoud FM, Zayed AE, Abdelhafez EA, Hussein T. Seasonal variations of the epididymis in donkeys (Equus asinus) with special reference to blood epididymal barrier. Microsc Res Tech. 2024;87(2):326–338. doi: 10.1002/jemt.24436 EDN: QOONSQ</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B22"><label>22.</label><mixed-citation>Castro MM, Kim B, Games PD, et al. Distribution pattern of ZO-1 and claudins in the epididymis of vampire bats. Tissue Barriers. 2020;8(3):1779526. doi: 10.1080/21688370.2020.1779526 EDN: HGJWJG</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B23"><label>23.</label><mixed-citation>Bai GW, Han DY, Yang QY, et al. Oxidative stress induces damage to epididymal epithelial tight junction protein ZO-1 and impairs epididymal function in varicocele rats. Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. 2019;25(5):302–308. (In Chinese)</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B24"><label>24.</label><mixed-citation>Gregory M, Cyr DG. Effects of prostaglandin E2 on gap junction protein alpha 1 in the rat epididymis. Biol Reprod. 2019;100(1):123–132. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioy171</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B25"><label>25.</label><mixed-citation>Liman N. The abundance and localization of claudin-1 and -5 in the adult tomcats (Felis catus) testis, tubules rectus, rete testis, efferent ductules, and epididymis. Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2023;306(8):2153–2169. doi: 10.1002/ar.25165 EDN: XSCHTU</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B26"><label>26.</label><mixed-citation>Dubé E, Chan PTK, Hermo L, Cyr DG. Gene expression profiling and its relevance to the blood-epididymal barrier in the human epididymis. Biol Reprod. 2007;76:1034–1044. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.106.059246 EDN: MGHCWZ</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B27"><label>27.</label><mixed-citation>Cyr DG, Gregory M, Dubé E, et al. Orchestration of occludins, claudins, catenins and cadherins as players involved in maintenance of the blood-epididymal barrier in animals and humans. Asian J Androl. 2007;9(4):463–375. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2007.00308x</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B28"><label>28.</label><mixed-citation>Yoon SI, Park CJ, Nah WH, Gye MC. Expression of occludin in testis and epididymis of wild rabbits, Lepus sinensis coreanus. Reprod Domest Anim. 2009;44(5):745–750. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2008.01064.x</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B29"><label>29.</label><mixed-citation>Cyr DG, Robaire B, Hermo L. Structure and turnover of junctional complexes between principal cells of the rat epididymis. Microsc Res Tech. 1995;30(1):54–66. doi: 10.1002/jemt.1070300105</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B30"><label>30.</label><mixed-citation>Voisin A, Saez F, Drevet JR, Guiton R. The epididymal immune balance: a key to preserving male fertility. Asian J Androl. 2019;21(6):531–539. doi: 10.4103/aja.aja_11_19</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B31"><label>31.</label><mixed-citation>Liu Q, Xie W, Xiao Y, et al. Seasonal expressions of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor in epididymis of the male muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). Theriogenology. 2019;124:24–31. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.10.009</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B32"><label>32.</label><mixed-citation>Yuan Z, Wang Y, Yu W, et al. Seasonal expressions of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor in the epididymides in the wild ground squirrels (Citellus Dauricus Brandt). Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2020;289:113391. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113391 EDN: QTXQUU</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B33"><label>33.</label><mixed-citation>Michel V, Pilatz A, Hedger MP, Meinhardt A. Epididymitis: revelations at the convergence of clinical and basic sciences. Asian J Androl. 2015;17(5):756–763. doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.155770 EDN: XZRFNL</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B34"><label>34.</label><mixed-citation>Wigby S, Suarez SS, Lazzaro BP, et al. Sperm success and immunity. Curr Top Dev Biol. 2019;135:287–313. doi: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2019.04.002</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B35"><label>35.</label><mixed-citation>Da Silva N, Cortez-Retamozo V, Reinecker HC, et al. A dense network of dendritic cells populates the murine epididymis. Reproduction. 2011;141(5):653–663. doi: 10.1530/REP-10-0493</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B36"><label>36.</label><mixed-citation>Mendelsohn AC, Sanmarco LM, Spallanzani RG, et al. From initial segment to cauda: a regional characterization of mouse epididymal CD11c+ mononuclear phagocytes based on immune phenotype and function. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2020;319(6):C997–C1010. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00392.2020 EDN: DZIXNB</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B37"><label>37.</label><mixed-citation>Shi X, Zhao H, Kang Y, et al. The role of mononuclear phagocytes in the testes and epididymis. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;24(1):53. doi: 10.3390/ijms24010053 EDN: EZIENE</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B38"><label>38.</label><mixed-citation>Pleuger С, Ai D, Hoppe ML, et al. The regional distribution of resident immune cells shapes distinct immunological environments along the murine epididymis. Elife. 2022;11:e82193. doi: 10.7554/eLife.82193 EDN: YIPKII</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B39"><label>39.</label><mixed-citation>Barrachina F, Ottino K, Tu LJ, et al. CX3CR1 deficiency leads to impairment of immune surveillance in the epididymis. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2022;80(1):15. doi: 10.1007/s00018-022-04664-w EDN: RJTXES</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B40"><label>40.</label><mixed-citation>Da Silva N, Barton CR. Macrophages and dendritic cells in the post-testicular environment. Cell Tissue Res. 2016;363(1):97–104. doi: 10.1007/s00441-015-2270-0 EDN: TMSSWJ</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B41"><label>41.</label><mixed-citation>Da Silva N, Smith TB. Exploring the role of mononuclear phagocytes in the epididymis. Asian J Androl. 2015;17(4):591–596. doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.153540</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B42"><label>42.</label><mixed-citation>Smith TB, Cortez-Retamozo V, Grigoryeva LS, et al. Mononuclear phagocytes rapidly clear apoptotic epithelial cells in the proximal epididymis. Andrology. 2014;2(5):755–762. doi: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2014.00251.x</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B43"><label>43.</label><mixed-citation>Voisin A, Damon-Soubeyrand C, Bravard S, et al. Differential expression and localisation of TGF-β isoforms and receptors in the murine epididymis. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):995. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-57839-5 EDN: ZCXPZU</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B44"><label>44.</label><mixed-citation>Battistone MA, Mendelsohn AC, Spallanzani RG, et al. Region-specific transcriptomic and functional signatures of mononuclear phagocytes in the epididymis. Mol Hum Reprod. 2020;26(1):14–29. doi: 10.1093/molehr/gaz059</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B45"><label>45.</label><mixed-citation>Voisin A, Whitfield M, Damon-Soubeyrand C, et al. Comprehensive overview of murine epididymal mononuclear phagocytes and lymphocytes: Unexpected populations arise. J Reprod Immunol. 2018;126:11–17. doi: 10.1016/j.jri.2018.01.003</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B46"><label>46.</label><mixed-citation>Guazzone VA. Exploring the role of antigen presenting cells in male genital tract. Andrologia. 2018;50(11):e13120. doi: 10.1111/and.13120</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B47"><label>47.</label><mixed-citation>Gregory M, Cyr DG. The blood-epididymis barrier and inflammation. Spermatogenesis. 2014;4(2):e979619. doi: 10.4161/21565562.2014.979619</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B48"><label>48.</label><mixed-citation>Heuser A, Mecklenburg L, Ockert D, et al. Selective inhibition of PDE4 in Wistar rats can lead to dilatation in testis, efferent ducts, and epididymis and subsequent formation of sperm granulomas. Toxicol Pathol. 2013;41(4):615–627. doi: 10.1177/0192623312463783</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B49"><label>49.</label><mixed-citation>Sheng Z, Gao N, Fan D, et al. Zika virus disrupts the barrier structure and Absorption/Secretion functions of the epididymis in mice. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2021;15(3):e0009211. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009211 EDN: OUIAZJ</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B50"><label>50.</label><mixed-citation>Dube E, Hermo L, Chan PT, Cyr DG. Alterations in the human blood-epididymis barrier in obstructive azoospermia and the development of novel epididymal cell lines from infertile men. Biol Reprod. 2010;83(4):584–596. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.110.084459 EDN: NYZHUZ</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B51"><label>51.</label><mixed-citation>Hermo L, Korah N, Gregory M, et al. Structural alterations of epididymal epithelial cells in cathepsin A-deficient mice affect the blood-epididymal barrier and lead to altered sperm motility. J Androl. 2007;28(5):784–797. doi: 10.2164/jandrol.107.002980</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B52"><label>52.</label><mixed-citation>Park YJ, Pang WK, Ryu DY, et al. Bisphenol A exposure increases epididymal susceptibility to infection in mice. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2021;208:111476. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111476 EDN: YSHKOP</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B53"><label>53.</label><mixed-citation>Tanaka Y, Suganuma K, Watanabe K, Kobayashi Y. Epididymitis in mice experimentally infected with Trypanosoma equiperdum: a histopathological and immunohistochemical study. J Comp Pathol. 2023;201:1–9. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2022.12.005 EDN: YNJMVW</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B54"><label>54.</label><mixed-citation>Zhang M, Li H, Ma J, et al. Effects of zinc combined with metformin on zinc homeostasis, blood-epididymal barrier, and epididymal absorption in male diabetic mice. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2024;203(1):291–304. doi: 10.1007/s12011-024-04171-y EDN: XPHHYH</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B55"><label>55.</label><mixed-citation>Sahu C, Dwivedi DK, Jena GB. Zinc and selenium combination treatment protected diabetes-induced testicular and epididymal damage in rat. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2020;39(9):1235–1256. doi: 10.1177/0960327120914963 EDN: GMKBNV</mixed-citation></ref></ref-list></back></article>
