Overview of Sperm Transport and Fertilization

This set of flashcards summarizes key terms and concepts related to sperm transport and fertilization, highlighting the barriers and processes that are crucial for successful reproduction.

Gamete Transport

The process that describes the movement and challenges sperm face in the female reproductive tract before fertilizing the egg.

Cervical Mucus

A protective barrier that filters sperm, varying in thickness based on estrogen levels, allowing only the strongest sperm to pass.

Utero-Tubal Junction (UTJ)

A narrow region in the female reproductive tract that allows only highly motile sperm to enter the oviduct, preventing polyspermy.

Reservoir I

Cervical crypts where motile sperm can temporarily hide and avoid being lost or killed.

Acrosome Reaction

The process during fertilization where enzymes are released by the sperm to penetrate the outer layers of the egg.

Capacitation

A maturation process that sperm undergo in the female reproductive tract, leading to increased motility and the ability to fertilize the egg.

Phagocytosis

The process by which immune cells in the female tract eliminate weak or damaged sperm.

Privileged Pathways

Specialized routes in the cervix that allow only the healthiest sperm to pass through while removing abnormal sperm.

Hyperactivation

A state of enhanced motility that sperm achieve post-capacitation, necessary for penetration of cumulus cells and zona pellucida.

Zygote

The fertilized egg formed after the fusion of male and female pronuclei.