Capacitation

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Capacitation

Capacitation (/kəˌpæsɪˈteɪʃən/) is a physiological process that spermatozoa must undergo to have the ability to penetrate and fertilize an egg. The term is derived from the Latin word 'capacitas', which means 'capacity' or 'ability'.

Etymology

The term 'capacitation' was first used in the context of sperm physiology by Colin Russell Austin in 1952. It is derived from the Latin word 'capacitas', which means 'capacity' or 'ability'. This refers to the sperm's acquired ability to fertilize an egg after undergoing the capacitation process.

Process

Capacitation involves a series of physiological changes in the sperm, including alterations in the plasma membrane, changes in intracellular ion concentrations, and modifications in the molecular structure of certain proteins. This process usually occurs in the female reproductive tract, specifically in the uterus and the fallopian tubes.

Related Terms

  • Spermatozoa: The mature male reproductive cells, which must undergo capacitation to fertilize an egg.
  • Fertilization: The process in which a sperm cell unites with an egg cell to form a new organism.
  • Fallopian Tubes: The part of the female reproductive system where fertilization usually occurs and where capacitation is completed.
  • Uterus: The female organ in which the fertilized egg implants and grows.

See Also

  • Acrosome Reaction: A process that occurs in the sperm after capacitation, which allows the sperm to penetrate the egg.
  • Zona Pellucida: The outer covering of the egg, which the sperm must penetrate to fertilize the egg.

External links

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