Joel DREVET
Professor in Immunology & Reproductive Biology
Resume

Joël R. Drevet received his Ph.D. degree in Cell Biology/Genetics & Immunology from the Université Claude Bernard (Lyon1, France) in 1989. From 1990 till 1993, Drevet spent four years at the Health Science Centre, the Faculty of Medicine, the University of Calgary (Alberta, Canada) as a Postdoctoral Fellow (1990-1991) and a Research Associate (1992-1993). In September 1993, Drevet was hired Assistant-Professor at the Université Blaise Pascal (Clermont-Ferrand, France). In 1998, he moved-up to a Professor position and started his own research group in the field of Mammalian Reproductive Physiology.
Drevet is a member of the European Academy of Andrology (EAA), the European Society of Human Reproduction & Embryology (ESHRE) and the North American Society for Studies on Reproduction (SSR). He is also a member of the French Andrology Society (SALF) and the International Society of Andrology (ISA).
Joël Drevet is Managing Editor for the Open Access journal Basic & Clinical Andrology (BCA); Academic Editor for the journal PLoS ONE; Academic Editor for the journal Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity; Associate Editor for the journal Antioxidants and Associate Editor for the journal Asian Journal of Andrology. JD is also a member of the editorial board of the journal Andrology. In the past, Joël Drevet served on the boards of Human Reproduction and Biology of Reproduction.
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Research
The research activities of the team concern the stages of post-testicular maturation of spermatozoa during their descent and storage in the epididymis. The team is particularly interested in the aspects of the maintenance of the integrity of the sperm nucleus, which guarantees the good progress of the embryonic development program after fertilization, as well as the health of the future individual, and even of its descendants. These aspects concern both natural reproduction and Assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The control of immune responses to spermatozoa in the epididymis is another aspect of the physiology of the male genital tract in which the team is interested, finding an echo in the male infertility clinic.
The team is also supported by a research & development platform (EVALSEM) which ensures semen quality evaluations as well as research activities in the field of sperm cryopreservation for artificial insemination, development of new diagnostics or therapeutic actions for male fertility.
Publications
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2023
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“Spermatozoa isolation with Felix TM outperforms conventional density gradient centrifugation preparation in selecting cells with low DNA damage.”, Andrology, 2023.
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2022
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“Standards in semen examination: publishing reproducible and reliable data based on high-quality methodology.”, Hum. Reprod., 2022.
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“Sperm telomeres, oxidative stress, and infertility.”, Reproduction, 2022.
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“Vitamin D and calcium, together and separately, play roles in female reproductive performance.”, Scientific reports, vol. 12 (1) , pp. 10470, 2022.
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“The NLRP3 inflammasome: molecular activation and regulation in spermatogenesis and male infertility; a systematic review.”, Basic and clinical andrology, vol. 32 (1) , pp. 8, 2022.
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“Reactive Oxygen Species and Their Consequences on the Structure and Function of Mammalian Spermatozoa.”, Antioxidants & redox signaling, 2022.
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“Male Infertility and Oxidative Stress: A Focus on the Underlying Mechanisms.”, Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 11 (2) , 2022.
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“Sperm motility in asthenozoospermic semen samples can be improved by incubation in a continuous single culture medium (CSCM(R)).”, Systems biology in reproductive medicine, pp. 1–11, 2022.
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“Marijuana Is Associated With a Hormonal Imbalance Among Several Habits Related to Male Infertility: A Retrospective Study”, Frontiers in Reproductive Health, vol. 4 , 2022.
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“Rapid impact of COVID-19 infection on semen quality: a case report.”, Translational andrology and urology, vol. 11 (1) , pp. 110–115, 2022.
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“Paroxetine treatment in an animal model of depression improves sperm quality.”, PLoS ONE, vol. 17 (12) , pp. e0271217, 2022.
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2021
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“Beneficial effects of hypotaurine supplementation in preparation and freezing media on human sperm cryo-capacitation and DNA quality.”, Basic and clinical andrology, vol. 31 (1) , pp. 26, 2021.
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“Apoptotic M540 bodies present in human semen interfere with flow cytometry-assisted assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation and oxidation.”, Basic and clinical andrology, vol. 31 (1) , pp. 23, 2021.
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“Field study reveals morphological and neuroendocrine correlates of seasonal breeding in female water voles, Arvicola terrestris.”, General and comparative endocrinology, vol. 311 , pp. 113853, 2021.
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“Photoperiod is involved in the regulation of seasonal breeding in male water voles (Arvicola terrestris).”, J. Exp. Biol., 2021.
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“Identification of Arvicola terrestris scherman Sperm Antigens for Immune Contraceptive Purposes”, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 22 (18) , pp. 9965, 2021.
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“LINE-1 transcription in round spermatids is associated with accretion of 5-carboxylcytosine in their open reading frames.”, Communications biology, vol. 4 (1) , pp. 691, 2021.
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“Dysplasia of the fibrous sheath with axonemal and centriolar defects combined with lack of mitochondrial activity as associated factors of ICSI failure in primary ciliary dyskinesia syndrome.”, International braz j urol : official journal of the Brazilian Society of Urology, vol. 47 (3) , pp. 617–626, 2021.
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“Recent Study on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress (ER Stress) and Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) Occur in a Rat Varicocele Testis Model”, Highlights on Medicine and Medical Research Vol. 9, pp. 21–35, 2021.
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“Early transcriptional response to gravistimulation in poplar without phototropic confounding factors.”, AoB PLANTS, vol. 13 (1) , pp. plaa071, 2021.
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“Viral infections and implications for male reproductive health.”, Asian J. Androl., 2021.
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“Three-Dimensional Confocal Analysis of Chromosome Positioning Coupled with Immunofluorescence in Mouse Sperm Nuclei.”, Meth. Mol. Biol., vol. 2198 , pp. 255–268, 2021.
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“Oxidation of Sperm DNA and Male Infertility.”, Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 10 (1) , 2021.
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“Deferasirox, an Iron-Chelating Agent, Improves Testicular Morphometric and Sperm Functional Parameters in a Rat Model of Varicocele.”, Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, vol. 2021 , pp. 6698482, 2021.
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“Reactive oxygen species and their consequences on the structure and function of mammalian spermatozoa”, Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 2021.
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2020
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“Varicocoele and oxidative stress: New perspectives from animal and human studies.”, Andrology, 2020.
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“Impact of vitamin D deficiency on mouse sperm structure and function.”, Andrology, vol. 8 (5) , pp. 1442–1455, 2020.
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“Knockout of glutathione peroxidase 5 down-regulates the piRNAs in the caput epididymidis of aged mice.”, Asian J. Androl., 2020.
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“Serum vitamin D content is associated with semen parameters and serum testosterone levels in men.”, Asian J. Androl., 2020.
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“Differential expression and localisation of TGF-beta isoforms and receptors in the murine epididymis.”, Scientific reports, vol. 10 (1) , pp. 995, 2020.
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“Oxidation of Sperm Nucleus in Mammals: A Physiological Necessity to Some Extent with Adverse Impacts on Oocyte and Offspring.”, Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 9 (2) , 2020.
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“The Importance of Oxidative Stress in Determining the Functionality of Mammalian Spermatozoa: A Two-Edged Sword.”, Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 9 (2) , 2020.
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“Signs of ROS-Associated Autophagy in Testis and Sperm in a Rat Model of Varicocele.”, Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, vol. 2020 , pp. 5140383, 2020.
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“Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress (ER Stress) and Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) Occur in a Rat Varicocele Testis Model.”, Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, vol. 2020 , pp. 5909306, 2020.
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“Could high DNA stainability (HDS) be a valuable indicator of sperm nuclear integrity?”, Basic and clinical andrology, vol. 30 , pp. 12, 2020.
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2019
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“Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs) levels in spermatozoa of normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men.”, Systems biology in reproductive medicine, vol. 65 (6) , pp. 409–419, 2019.
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“Paternal impacts on development: identification of genomic regions vulnerable to oxidative DNA damage in human spermatozoa.”, Hum. Reprod., 2019.
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“Epididymal small non-coding RNA studies: progress over the past decade.”, Andrology, vol. 7 (5) , pp. 681–689, 2019.
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“Of vessels and cells: the spatial organization of the epididymal immune system.”, Andrology, vol. 7 (5) , pp. 712–718, 2019.
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“Impairment of sperm maturation and capacitation due to diet-dependent cholesterol overload.”, Andrology, vol. 7 (5) , pp. 654–661, 2019.
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“The epididymal immune balance: a key to preserving male fertility.”, Asian J. Androl., 2019.
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“Role of Oxidative Stress in the Etiology of Male Infertility and the Potential Therapeutic Value of Antioxidants”, Oxidants, Antioxidants and Impact of the Oxidative Status in Male Reproduction, pp. 91–100, 2019.
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“Oxidative Damage to Sperm DNA: Attack and Defense.”, Advances in experimental medicine and biology, vol. 1166 , pp. 107–117, 2019.
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“Melatonin and Caffeine Supplementation Used, Respectively, as Protective and Stimulating Agents in the Cryopreservation of Human Sperm Improves Survival, Viability, and Motility after Thawing compared to Traditional TEST-Yolk Buffer.”, Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, vol. 2019 , pp. 6472945, 2019.
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“Dietary Cholesterol and Lipid Overload: Impact on Male Fertility.”, Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, vol. 2019 , pp. 4521786, 2019.
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2018
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“Nuclear Integrity but Not Topology of Mouse Sperm Chromosome is Affected by Oxidative DNA Damage.”, Genes, vol. 9 (10) , 2018.
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“Slc26a3 deficiency is associated with epididymis dysplasia and impaired sperm fertilization potential in the mouse.”, Molecular reproduction and development, vol. 85 (8-9) , pp. 682–695, 2018.
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“Accuracy of human sperm DNA oxidation quantification and threshold determination using an 8-OHdG immuno-detection assay.”, Hum. Reprod., vol. 33 (4) , pp. 553–562, 2018.
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“Comprehensive overview of murine epididymal mononuclear phagocytes and lymphocytes: Unexpected populations arise.”, Journal of reproductive immunology, vol. 126 , pp. 11–17, 2018.
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“A Decade of Exploring the Mammalian Sperm Epigenome: Paternal Epigenetic and Transgenerational Inheritance.”, Frontiers in cell and developmental biology, vol. 6 , pp. 50, 2018.
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“Male reproductive health statement (XIIIth international symposium on Spermatology, may 9th-12th 2018, Stockholm, Sweden.”, Basic and clinical andrology, vol. 28 , pp. 13, 2018.
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“Epididymal approaches to male contraception.”, Basic and clinical andrology, vol. 28 , pp. 12, 2018.
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2017
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“Dyslipidemia alters sperm maturation and capacitation in LXR-null mice.”, Reproduction, 2017.
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“Investigation of antioxidant systems in human meibomian gland and conjunctival tissues.”, Experimental eye research, vol. 165 , pp. 99–104, 2017.
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“Sperm DNA integrity testing: a valuable addition to the tool box of infertility clinicians.”, Translational andrology and urology, vol. 6 (Suppl 4) , pp. S590–S591, 2017.
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“SLY regulates genes involved in chromatin remodeling and interacts with TBL1XR1 during sperm differentiation.”, Cell death and differentiation, vol. 24 (6) , pp. 1029–1044, 2017.
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“A sequence of 28 S rRNA-derived small RNAs is enriched in mature sperm and various somatic tissues and possibly associates with inflammation.”, Journal of molecular cell biology, 2017.
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“Does sperm quality and DNA integrity differ in cryopreserved semen samples from young, adult, and aged Nellore bulls?”, Basic and clinical andrology, vol. 27 , pp. 12, 2017.
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2016
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“Mammalian sperm nuclear organization: resiliencies and vulnerabilities”, Basic and Clinical Andrology, vol. 26 (1) , 2016.
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“Liver X Receptors (LXRs) Alpha and Beta Play Distinct Roles in the Mouse Epididymis.”, Biol Reprod, vol. 94 (3) , pp. 55, 2016.
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“A novel antioxidant formulation designed to treat male infertility associated with oxidative stress: promising preclinical evidence from animal models.”, Hum. Reprod., 2016.
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“Sperm DNA damage and assisted reproductive technologies: reasons to be cautious!”, Basic and clinical andrology, vol. 26 , pp. 11, 2016.
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2015
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“Oxidative DNA damage in mouse sperm chromosomes: Size matters.”, Free Radic. Biol. Med., vol. 89 , pp. 993–1002, 2015.
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“Posttesticular sperm maturation, infertility, and hypercholesterolemia.”, Asian J. Androl., vol. 17 (5) , pp. 742–8, 2015.
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“Causes and consequences of oxidative stress in spermatozoa.”, Reprod. Fertil. Dev., vol. 28 (2) , pp. 1–10, 2015.
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2014
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“Evaluation of atorvastatin efficacy and toxicity on spermatozoa, accessory glands and gonadal hormones of healthy men: a pilot prospective clinical trial.”, Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E, vol. 12 , pp. 65, 2014.
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“Recent knowledge concerning mammalian sperm chromatin organization and its potential weaknesses when facing oxidative challenge.”, Basic and clinical andrology, vol. 24 , pp. 6, 2014.
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2013
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“DNA oxidative damage in mammalian spermatozoa: where and why is the male nucleus affected?”, Free Radic. Biol. Med., vol. 65 , pp. 719–23, 2013.
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“Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (ido1) is involved in the control of mouse caput epididymis immune environment.”, PLoS ONE, vol. 8 (6) , pp. e66494, 2013.
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“The immunobiology of the mammalian epididymis: the black box is now open!”, Basic Clin Androl, vol. 23 (1) , pp. 8, 2013.
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2012
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“[Post-testicular protection of male gametes from oxidative damage. The role of the epididymis].”, Med Sci (Paris), vol. 28 (5) , pp. 519–25, 2012.
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“Epididymis response partly compensates for spermatozoa oxidative defects in snGPx4 and GPx5 double mutant mice.”, PLoS ONE, vol. 7 (6) , pp. e38565, 2012.
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2011
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“Glutathione peroxidases at work on epididymal spermatozoa: an example of the dual effect of reactive oxygen species on mammalian male fertilizing ability.”, J. Androl., vol. 32 (6) , pp. 641–50, 2011.
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“Liver X receptors, lipids and their reproductive secrets in the male.”, Biochim. Biophys. Acta, vol. 1812 (8) , pp. 974–81, 2011.
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“Dietary cholesterol-induced post-testicular infertility.”, PLoS ONE, vol. 6 (11) , pp. e26966, 2011.
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2010
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“Deficient tryptophan catabolism along the kynurenine pathway reveals that the epididymis is in a unique tolerogenic state.”, J. biol. chem., vol. 286 (10) , pp. 8030–42, 2010.
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“Transgenic tomatoes showing higher glutathione peroxydase antioxidant activity are more resistant to an abiotic stress but more susceptible to biotic stresses.”, Plant sci., vol. 180 (3) , pp. 548–53, 2010.
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“Epididymis cholesterol homeostasis and sperm fertilizing ability.”, Asian J. Androl., vol. 13 (1) , pp. 11–7, 2010.
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2009
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“Mammalian glutathione peroxidases control acquisition and maintenance of spermatozoa integrity.”, J. Anim. Sci., vol. 88 (4) , pp. 1321–31, 2009.
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“Epididymis seleno-independent glutathione peroxidase 5 maintains sperm DNA integrity in mice.”, J. Clin. Invest., vol. 119 (7) , pp. 2074–85, 2009.
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“LXR and ABCA1 control cholesterol homeostasis in the proximal mouse epididymis in a cell-specific manner.”, J. Lipid Res., vol. 50 (9) , pp. 1766–75, 2009.
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“LXR regulate cholesterol homeostasis in the proximal mouse epididymis.”, Folia Histochem. Cytobiol., vol. 47 (5) , pp. S75–9, 2009.
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2008
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“GPX5, the selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase-encoding single copy gene is differentially expressed in mouse epididymis.”, Reprod. Fertil. Dev., vol. 20 (5) , pp. 615–25, 2008.
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2007
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“Identification of sperm antigens as a first step towards the generation of a contraceptive vaccine to decrease fossorial water vole Arvicola terrestris Scherman proliferations.”, Theriogenology, vol. 68 (5) , pp. 779–95, 2007.
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“Liver X receptors and epididymal epithelium physiology.”, Asian J. Androl., vol. 9 (4) , pp. 574–82, 2007.
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2006
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“Lipid remodeling of murine epididymosomes and spermatozoa during epididymal maturation.”, Biol Reprod, vol. 74 (6) , pp. 1104–13, 2006.
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“The antioxidant glutathione peroxidase family and spermatozoa: a complex story.”, Molecular and cellular endocrinology, vol. 250 (1-2) , pp. 70–9, 2006.
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“Quantitative and spatial differences in the expression of tryptophan-metabolizing enzymes in mouse epididymis.”, Cell Tissue Res., vol. 324 (2) , pp. 301–10, 2006.
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2004
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“Nuclear oxysterol receptors, LXRs, are involved in the maintenance of mouse caput epididymidis structure and functions.”, Journal of molecular endocrinology, vol. 33 (2) , pp. 361–75, 2004.
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