CFTR gene and male fertility

Secretion of electrolytes and water by the epididymal epithelium isimportant in the formation an optimal fluid environment for spermmaturation and transport. This process is disrupted in the genetic diseasecystic fibrosis caused by mutation of the cystic fibrosis transmemebraneconductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Recent findings of CFTR gene mutationsin healthy men with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens orpoor sperm quality may indicate that CFTR gene mutations have afar-reaching effect on human reproduction.