Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of transmembrane channel proteins responsible for the transport of water and small uncharged molecules. Thirteen distinct isoforms of AQPs have been identified in mammals (AQP0-12). Throughout the male reproductive tract, AQPs greatly enhance water transport across all biological barriers, providing a constant and expeditious movement of water and playing an active role in the regulation of water and ion homeostasis. This regulation of fluids is particularly important in the male reproductive tract, where proper fluid composition is directly linked with a healthy and competent spermatozoa production. For instance, in the testis, fluid regulation is essential for spermatogenesis and posterior spermatozoa transport into the epididymal ducts, while maintaining proper ionic conditions for their maturation and storage. Alterations in the expression pattern of AQPs or their dysfunction is linked with male subfertility/infertility. Thus, AQPs are important for male reproductive health. In this review, we will discuss the most recent data on the expression and function of the AQPs isoforms in the human, mouse and rat male reproductive tract. In addition, the regulation of AQPs expression and dysfunction linked with male infertility will be discussed.

中文翻译：

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水通道蛋白和男性（不育）：在整个男性生殖道中的表达和作用。

水通道蛋白（AQP）是跨膜通道蛋白家族，负责水和不带电的小分子的运输。在哺乳动物中已经鉴定出13种不同的AQP亚型（AQP0-12）。在整个男性生殖道中，AQP大大增强了跨所有生物屏障的水传输，提供了持续不断的水快速流动，并在调节水和离子体内平衡方面发挥了积极作用。液体的这种调节在男性生殖道中尤其重要，在男性生殖道中，正确的液体成分与健康，有能力的精子生产直接相关。例如，在睾丸中，液体调节对于精子发生和后精子向附睾管的运输至关重要，同时保持适当的离子条件以使其成熟和储存。AQPs表达模式的改变或其功能障碍与男性不育/不育有关。因此，AQP对男性生殖健康很重要。在这篇综述中，我们将讨论有关AQP亚型在人，小鼠和大鼠雄性生殖道中表达和功能的最新数据。另外，将讨论与男性不育有关的AQPs表达和功能障碍的调节。