Describe the path of a sperm cell from the site of its matur

Describe the path of a sperm cell from the site of its maturation to the site of the across all reaction. Include the major function of each segment in the process and descriptions and functions added along that path.

Solution

In testes sperms are manufactured in the scrotum.The epididymis is a coiled structure topping the testis,and it receives immature sperm from the testis and stores it several days.When ejaculation occurs,sperm is forcefully expelled from the tail of the epididymis into the deferent duct. Sperm then travels through the deferent duct through up the spermatic cord into the pelvic cavity,over the ureter to the prostate behind the bladder.The vas deferens joins with the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct,which passes through the prostate and empties into the urethra.When ejaculation occurs,rhythmic muscle movements propel the sperm forward.After the ejaculation the sperm cells go through several essential physiological changes during their time in the female genital tract before they,at the end,are able to penetrate the oocyte membrane.The first change in this cascade iscapacitation.Capacitation is a functional maturation of the spermatozoon.The changes take place via the sperm cell membrane in which it may be that receptors are made available through the removal of a glycoprotein layer.The area of the acrosomal cap is also so altered thereby that the acrosome reaction becomes possible.Through the membrane alterations,the motile properties of the spermatozoon also change.Discharging whipping movements of the tail together with larger sideways swinging movements of the head take place.During capacitation,cholesterol and other sterols are removed from the sperm surface,and non-covalently attached glycoproteins acquired in the epididymis are released from the sperm surface. Together,these modifications create a more fluid membrane environment,making the sperm competent for subsequent fertilization cues.At any given time a small population of spermatozoa may have ended their capacitation and are thus ready to fertilize an oocyte that has possibly made its way to the ampullary part of the uterine tube.