Grant: Project Grant

Male infertility is a growing health issue that affects one in every 20 men worldwide. Regrettably, current diagnostic methods for masculine infertility lack efficacy in guiding tailored treatments, leaving the cause unexplained in 30% of cases. This highlights the pressing need to enhance our understanding of the biological mechanisms governing male reproductive system function. Our research centers on the efferent ductules, small tubules connected to the testis, responsible for reabsorbing up to 90% of testicular fluid and regulating the concentration of spermatozoa to an optimal level for their maturation. These tubules harbor specialized cells that expose unique ciliary structures at their surface whose contribution to the maintenance of fluid absorption remains overlooked. Acknowledging the growing contribution of these organelles in the proper functioning of most biological systems, we hypothesize that these cellular extensions are potent fine tuners of male reproductive physiology through the control of fluid transport in the efferent ductules. By combining complementary approaches on cell lines, mouse models and human tissues, our project aims at depicting the unique features and functions of these cilia in the efferent ductules. Our research will shed light on new factors that contribute to cases of male infertility that will potentially serve as target for the diagnosis and adapted treatment of this growing disease.