Histology of the Male Reproductive System 5 Flashcards

Describe the process of sperm maturation and capacitation, where they occur, and the timeframe for all of the events.

1
Q

What are capacitation and decapacitation?

A
  • Decapacitation
    • glycoproteins tightly cover the sperm cell membrane in the epididymis and from fluids of the seminal vesicles and prostate gland
  • Capacitation
    • occurs in the female reproductive tract
    • removal and cleavage of glycoproteins that cover sperm from the process of decapacitation
    • allows the spermatozoa to bind the receptors on the zona pellucida
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2
Q

Aside from capacitation, what are som eother biochemical changes that occur as spermatazoa mature?

A
  • Increased intracellular levels of cAMP and calcium
  • Many phosphorylation events
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