Compromised autophagy in the aging epididymis: Evidence and relevance to male fertility.

Abstract

Impaired autophagy and increased cellular senescence in the aging epididymis may lead to cellular stress, inflammation, and epithelial dysfunction. This reduction in autophagy can be identified using light and electron microscopy, as well as molecular biology techniques. Autophagy, which may be selective or non-selective, is tightly regulated by genes such as LC3 and LAMP-2. Decreased autophagic activity in the epididymis results in reduced sperm quality and male fertility. These findings highlight autophagy as a potential therapeutic target in age-related male reproductive decline.