Changes

== Privileged Pathways ==

== Privileged Pathways ==

* Sperm must travel through the highly convoluted cervix.

* Sperm must travel through the highly convoluted [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|cervix]].

* During oestrus, the cervix produces mucus.

* During oestrus, the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|cervix]] produces mucus.

** '''Sialomucin''': Low viscosity mucus produced by basal areas of cervical crypts.

** '''Sialomucin''': Low viscosity mucus produced by basal areas of cervical crypts.

** '''Sulfomucin''': More viscous mucus produced in apical portions of the cervical epithelium covering the tips of cervical folds.

** '''Sulfomucin''': More viscous mucus produced in apical portions of the cervical epithelium covering the tips of cervical folds.

* The difference in viscosity of the mucus creates two distinct environments within the cervix.

* The difference in viscosity of the mucus creates two distinct environments within the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|cervix]].

* Sperm encountering sulfomucin are washed out of the tract.

* Sperm encountering sulfomucin are washed out of the tract.

* Sperm encountering sialomucin swim into it, creating 'privileged pathways' in deeper cervical crypts. Sperm then traverse the cervix through these pathways.

* Sperm encountering sialomucin swim into it, creating 'privileged pathways' in deeper cervical crypts. Sperm then traverse the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|cervix]] through these pathways.

* Thus, the cervix acts as a filter to immotile sperm because in order to survive; the sperm must actively swim into the 'privileged pathways'.

* Thus, the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|cervix]] acts as a filter to immotile sperm because in order to survive; the sperm must actively swim into the 'privileged pathways'.

== Hyperactivation ==

== Hyperactivation ==