What is capacitation? Give it’s importance.

Capacitation typically takes 5-6 hours, involving thinning of the acrosome membrane, entry of Ca++ into the sperm, and initiation of rapid whiplash movements in sperm tails. This process makes sperms highly active, prompting them to move upward from the vagina to the uterus and oviducts. Prostaglandins and female vestibular secretions further enhance sperm motility. Sperms travel at an average speed of 1.5 to 3.0 mm/min, reaching the ampulla. Uterus and fallopian tube contractions, stimulated by female oxytocin, also assist sperm movement. Following capacitation, sperms can reach the ampulla within 5 minutes.

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