sperm transport Flashcards
when does capacitation occur?
In the fallopian tube in the vicinity of an ovulated oocyte
what ion concentration increase allows for capacitation?
calcium
What are three examples of cryoprotectants?
glycerol, DMSO and raffinose
what is the role of cryoprotectant?
to prevent formation of ice crystals
how do cryoprotectants prevent the formation of ice crystals?
by increasing the osmalarity of the solution
What are solution effects?
When ice crystals form in a solution, pools of high salt concentration form. Sperm will collect in these pools of high salt concentration causing damage to themselves. This is known as solution effects
Why is vitrification not commonly used?
Not sterile environment
How do sperm travel up the uterus to the uterotubal junction
via peristaltic contraction
What enzyme is responsible for cAMP changes in the sperm cell at capacition?
adenyl cyclase
What ion present in the oviductal fluid mediates capacitation?
bicarbonate (HCo3-)
What 2 qualities does a capacitated sperm have?
- hyperactivated motility
- change in surface membranes (loss of stability, increased fluidity and aggregation of lipid rafts in preparation for the acrosome reaction)
What steroid hormone should be peaked in the female reproductive tract to insight capacitation/
estradiol
