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Sperm in the Female Tract - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 08:21, 8 September 2008
, 08:21, 8 September 2008→Acrosome Reaction
== Acrosome Reaction ==
== Acrosome Reaction ==
* Enables spermatozoa to penetrate the zona pellucida.
* Exposes the equitorial segment, so it can later fuse with the oocyte plasma membrane.
* The plasma membrane of the spermatozoon forms multiple fusion sites with the outer acrosomal membrane.
* When the two membranes fuse, many small vesicles are formed, this is known as vesiculation.
* After this has occured, acrosomal contents are dispersed and the sperm nucleus is left with the inner acrosomal membrane surrounding it.
* Damaged acrosomes (sudden heating/cooling etc) do not vesiculate, but rupture all at once.
== Penetrating the Zona Pellucida ==
== Penetrating the Zona Pellucida ==