Anatomy of a Sperm

Basic Principles of Sperm Function:

• Must Reach and penetrate the zona
• Must “work” once it’s there to activate the ovum and resume cell division
• Is the paternal contribution to the zygote
• Determines the sex of the embryo

Anatomy of a Sperm

The goal of a sperm is to simply swim up through the female reproductive tract, penetrate egg and deliver paternal DNA. Sperm cells have very little cytoplasm- so might be missing some protective mechanisms that other cells have and they rely on the seminal fluid for protection and nutrients.

Capacitation

Removal of cholesterol and increases permeability to Ca which increase cAMP levels which increase motility.

Acrosome Reaction

An acrosome is an organelle that develops over the head in the spermatozoa. This organelle contains digestive enzymes that break down zona pellucida. The shedding of this is called acrosome reaction- stimulated by follicular fluid or progesterone?