Abstract: Charactering the sperm specific proteins is to elucidate the function in the process of
reproduction and to develop them as effective targets for reproductive regulation. Mammalian sperm after
spermiogenisis in testis seminiferous tubules, although they are tadpole鄄like, are neither able to swim nor to
fertilize the egg. Sperm must undergo modification in epididymis to be mature, which is called epididymal
sperm maturation. This process mainly includes the sperm membrane protein modification. During sperm
traveling through the epididymis tubes, some proteins are removed away, some are binding on, and some
proteins are glycosylated or phosphorylated. Therefore, the identification of epididymal protein, especially the
epididymal鄄specific protein, is one of the most important points to reveal the function of sperm. The function of
epididymal鄄specific protein, especially on sperm maturation and sperm protection, is reviewed in this paper.

Key words: Spermatozoa, Epididymis, Sperm maturation, Epididymal secretory proteins