Kapazitation

Capacitation is a process sperm must undergo to prepare to fertilize an egg. This is a process that mature spermatozoa undergo after entering the oviduct and uterus of the female reproductive tract. Sperm must undergo capacitation and the acrosome reaction to be able to penetrate through the outer layers of an oocyte, namely the cumulus ooporus and the zona pellucida. Capacitation results in hyperactivation of sperm motility, with the acrosome and cortical reaction following this. Compounds such as heparin and progesterone can be used to induce capacitation.