The Faculty in Reproductive Biology at Illinois

Rex A. Hess

Veterinary Biosciences
Ph.D., Clemson University

Visit the Hess Lab Group Page

Visit the Center for Microscopic Imaging

To e-mail Dr. Hess use: rexhess@uiuc.edu

Research summary

We are interested in male reproductive biology, endocrinology and toxicology, with the following current focus: the role of estrogens in male reproduction and regulation of spermatogonial stem cell niche. Our research was the first to demonstrate a physiological role for estrogen in fluid reabsorption in the male reproductive tract, a function that is now accepted as being essential for fertility. Disruption of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha causes accumulation of fluid and decreased sperm maturation in the epididymis. We have shown that ER-alpha is expressed in high concentration in efferent ductules of numerous species, and thus may be a potential target for male contraception. To investigate this potential, we are testing several selective ER modulators (SERMS) and comparing their activity in the male with female tissues. Differences in activity may be due to modifications in nuclear steroid cofactor expression and metabolic inactivation of estrogens. We are also studying the role of an Ets-related molecule  transcription factor (ERM) in the regulation of stem cell self-renewal. Loss of this factor results in progressive loss of spermatogonial stem cells and subsequent testicular atrophy.  We typically use the following techniques: histochemistry, quantitative histopathology, electron microscopy, image analysis, tissue culture, immunocytochemistry, RNA analysis, germ cell transplants.

News Items

Newly found estrogen role in males might lead to male contraceptive

Selected publications:

Hess, R.A., Cooke, P.S., Hofmann, M.C., and Murphy, K.M. 2006. Mechanistic Insights into the Regulation of the Spermatogonial Stem Cell Niche. Cell Cycle, 5(11):1164-70. [Abstract]

Hess, R. and França, L.R. 2005. Structure of the Sertoli cell. In Sertoli Cell Biology. Griswold, M. and Skinner, M. editors. New York: Academic Press.

Oliveira, C.A., Carnes, K., Franca, L.R., Hermo, L., and Hess, R.A. 2005. Aquaporin-1 and -9 are differentially regulated by estrogen in the efferent ductule epithelium and initial segment of the epididymis. Biol Cell., 97(6):385–95. [Abstract]

Chen, C., Ouyang, W., Grigura, V., Zhou, Q., Carnes, K., Lim, H., Zhao, G.Q., Arber, S., Kurpios, N., Murphy, T.L., Cheng, A.M., Hassell, J.A., Chandrashekar, V., Hofmann, M.C., Hess, R.A., and Murphy, K.M. 2005. ERM is required for transcriptional control of the spermatogonial stem cell niche. Nature, 436(7053):1030–4. [Abstract]

Oliveira, C.A., Mahecha, G.A., Carnes, K., Prins, G.S., Saunders, P.T., Franca, L.R., and Hess, R.A. 2004. Differential hormonal regulation of estrogen receptors ERalpha and ERbeta and androgen receptor expression in rat efferent ductules. Reproduction, 128(1):73–86. [Abstract]

Hess, R.A. 2003. Estrogen in the adult male reproductive tract: a review. Reprod Biol Endocrinol., 1:52. [Abstract]

Nie, R., Zhou, Q., Jassim, E., Saunders, P.T.K., and Hess, R.A. 2002. Differential expression of estrogen receptors alpha and beta in the reproductive tracts of adult male dogs and cats. Biol Reprod., 66(4):1161–8. [Abstract]

Zhou, Q., Clarke, L., Nie, R., Carnes, K., Lai, L.W., Lien, Y.H., Verkman, A., Lubahn, D., Fisher, J.S., Katzenellenbogen, B.S., and Hess, RA. 2001. From the Cover: Estrogen action and male fertility: roles of the sodium/hydrogen exchanger-3 and fluid reabsorption in reproductive tract function. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 98(24):14132–7. [Abstract]

Hess, R.A., Bunick, D., Korach, K.S., Taylor, J.A., Bahr, J., Lee, K.-H., and Lubahn, D.B. 1997. Estrogen regulates fluid reabsorption in the head of the epididymis. Nature, 390:509–12.

View Rex A. Hess' publications at the National Library of Medicine (PubMed)

Last updated 12.16.2006

Home  |  The Program  |  The Faculty  |  The Departments and How To Apply
Seminars, Lectures and Conferences  |  News and Announcements  |  Current Trainees