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| == Privileged Pathways == | | == Privileged Pathways == |
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− | * 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'. |
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| == Hyperactivation == | | == Hyperactivation == |