This article is about a biological process related to reproduction; for the other use, see Capacitation (NGO).

Capacitation is the penultimate step in the maturation of mammalian spermatozoa and is required to render them competent to fertilize an oocyte. This step is a biochemical event; the sperm move normally and look mature prior to capacitation. In vivo this step typically occurs after ejaculation, in the female reproductive tract. In vitro, capacitation can occur in sperm that have either undergone ejaculation or have been extracted from the epididymis.

By secreting sterol binding albumin, lipoproteins, proteolytic and glycosidasic enzymes such as heparin, the uterus aids in the steps of capacitation.

Non-mammalian spermatozoa do not require this capacitation step and are ready to fertilize an oocyte immediately after release from the male. After this capacitation the sperm must undergo activation involving the acrosome reaction.

Result of capacitation

Capacitation involves the destabilisation of the sperm head membrane rendering it more fusigenic. This change is facilitated by the removal of sterols (e.g. cholesterol) and non-covalently bound epididymal/seminal glycoproteins. The result is a more fluid membrane with an increased permiability to Ca²⁺.

An influx of Ca²⁺ produces increased intracellular cAMP levels and thus, an increase in motility. Hyperactivation is also part of capacitation and is the result of the increased Ca²⁺ levels. The enzyme FPP (fertilization promoting factor) produced by the male is essential for capacitation.

Discovery

The discovery of this process was independently reported in 1951 by both Min Chueh Chang and Colin Russell Austin .

Historically, the term "capacitation" has evolved in meaning and this should be taken into account when consulting sources.

See also

• Cortical reaction
• Acrosome reaction

Footnotes

References

• Beaudin, Stacey; Kipta, Donna; and Orr, Annamarie. (October 9, 1996). Current research into sperm capacitation: An Essay on Visconti, et al. Development 121: 1129-1150 (1995) Verified availability 2005-04-06.
• Visconti, Pablo E.; Bailey, Janice L.; Moore, Grace D.; Pan, Dieyun; Olds-Clarke, Patricia; and Kopf, Gregory S. (1995). Capacitation of mouse spermatozoa: I. Correlation between the capacitation state and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Development 121, 1129-1137. PMID 7743926. full article text available on-line

External links