Introduction

Sperm transport in the female reproductive system is a transient processes that enables sperm to mature on its journey to the fertilization site in the oviduct.

Human Sperm

On their journey to the fertilization site, sperm encounter various defence barriers in the female reproductive system; therefore sperm morphology and motility are highly important.

Sperm maturation in the female reproductive system includes capacitation and hyperactivation. These maturation stages are vital for sperm movement and survival in the oviduct. The maturation stages prolong sperm availability within the oviduct, increasing the chances of fertilization.

Sperm maturation also enables sperm transport to correlate with ovulation and the availability of the oocyte at the fertilization site.

Sperm banner courtesy of the Asian Journal of Andrology. Used with permission. 

Sperm image courtesy of https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sperm-20051108.jpg. Image in public domain.

 

News

Sperm made from human bone marrow

15/12/2008 23:03
Scientists say they have successfully made immature sperm cells from human bone marrow samples. A leading researcher and secretary of the British Fertility Society, Dr Allan Pacey of the University of sheffield said that "this kind of work will be useful in helping us undersatnd the...

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The Times

12/11/2008 14:23
Artificial sperm signal end to male infertility. Scientists  in the United States have successfully coaxed embryonic stem cells from mice to mature into primitive sperm, which were then injected into eggs to form normal embryos. The full article can be found...

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Medical Research Council

12/11/2008 14:22
Semen can worsen cervical cancer. Researchers found that the high concentration of prostaglandin in semen makes diseases of the female reproductive organs worse - including cervical cancer and uterine cancer. T The full story can be found...

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Did you know...

The "normal" sperm concentration for a man is between 80 and 120 million per millilitre. Rescent research sugests that drinking alcohol at least three times a week may worsen sperm fertility.