From a review of some aspects of epididymal structure,function and research done largely in my research area over the last 50 years,I conclude that more is known than is understood of sperm maturation and storage in the epididymis.Highly qualified technicians have not always applied sophisticated modern techniques in well-considered experiments to physiologically relevant and properly-prepared samples,so that our understanding of the biological problem of the nature of the epididymal epithelial influence on maturing epididymal spermatozoa has not kept pace with the outpouring of data generated,much of which is difficult to interpret.