capacitation

physiology

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Last updated

June 22, 2026

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Capacitation is a physiological process that occurs in the female reproductive tract, enabling sperm to penetrate and fertilize an egg. This change involves a series of cellular modifications within the sperm, including an increase in intracellular pH, which activates the sperm's tail movement. This activation is crucial for the sperm's journey towards the egg. Enzymes within the sperm's acrosome are then activated upon reaching the egg, allowing the sperm to pass through the egg's outer layers. Ultimately, the sperm's nucleus enters the egg, leading to fertilization.12

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fertilization
Sperm-egg association
…spermatozoa undergo physiological change, called capacitation, which is a prerequisite for their participation in fertilization; they are able to undergo the acrosome reaction, traverse the egg envelopes, and reach the interior of the egg. Dispersal of cells in the outer egg envelope (corona radiata) is caused by the action of…
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…spermatozoa undergo physiological change, called capacitation, which is a prerequisite for their participation in fertilization; they are able to undergo the acrosome reaction, traverse the egg envelopes, and reach the interior of the egg. Dispersal of cells in the outer egg envelope (corona radiata) is caused by the action of…
Read More

human reproductive system
The testes
…the female tract is called capacitation.
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…the female tract is called capacitation.
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sperm
…part of the process of capacitation, in which the sperm undergoes a series of cellular changes that enables its participation in fertilization. A fundamental change that occurs during capacitation is alkalinization of sperm cytoplasm, in which the intracellular pH levels increase, particularly in the flagellum. This process, which is driven…
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…part of the process of capacitation, in which the sperm undergoes a series of cellular changes that enables its participation in fertilization. A fundamental change that occurs during capacitation is alkalinization of sperm cytoplasm, in which the intracellular pH levels increase, particularly in the flagellum. This process, which is driven…
Read More