Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male reproductive...

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is a complex process that involves the development of sperm cells from undifferentiated stem cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. The process is essential for the production of mature and functional sperm cells that are capable of fertilizing an egg.
The process of spermatogenesis can be divided into mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During mitosis, the spermatogonia or stem cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells, type A and B spermatogonia. Type-A...

Fertilization

Fertilization

During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...

Calmodulin-dependent Signaling

Calmodulin-dependent Signaling

Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium-binding protein in eukaryotes that controls various calcium-regulated cellular processes. It has four calcium-binding sites that bind calcium to form the calcium-calmodulin ( Ca2+-CaM) complex. GPCR stimulation increases the calcium levels in the cells that bind to CaM and induces a conformational change.
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...

Yeast Signaling

Yeast Signaling

Yeasts are single-celled organisms, but unlike bacteria, they are eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus). Cell signaling in yeast is similar to signaling in other eukaryotic cells. A ligand, such as a protein or a small molecule released from a yeast cell, attaches to a receptor on the cell surface. The binding stimulates second-messenger kinases to activate or inactivate transcription factors that further regulate gene expression. Many of the yeast intracellular signaling cascades have similar...

Sperm Transport

Sperm Transport

The journey of sperm from its origin to the point of ejaculation begins within the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Here, Sertoli cells produce fluid that propels non-motile sperm through a series of conduits, starting with the straight tubules leading to the rete testis. This interconnected network of tubules acts as the initial pathway for sperm, guiding them into the efferent ductules and then into the epididymis for maturation.
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Sperm Energy-restriction and Recovery (SER) enhances equine sperm function and embryo development after ICSI.

Journal of animal science·2026

Same author

Sperm meet the elevated energy demands to attain fertilization competence by increasing flux through aldolase.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025

Same author

Bovine serum albumin-induced calcium influx triggers soluble adenylyl cyclase activation and cyclic AMP signalling pathways in mouse sperm capacitation.

The Journal of physiology·2025

Same author

Identification of TSSK1 and TSSK2 as Novel Targets for Male Contraception.

Biomolecules·2025

Same author

Sperm meet the elevated energy demands to attain fertilization competence by increasing flux through aldolase.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025

Same author

Real-Time Acrosome Reaction and Intracellular Calcium Recordings in Mice Sperm.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Phosphopeptide Analysis of Rodent Epididymal Spermatozoa

Phosphopeptide Analysis of Rodent Epididymal Spermatozoa

Published on: December 30, 2014

Signalling pathways involved in sperm capacitation.

Ana M Salicioni¹, Mark D Platt, Eva V Wertheimer

¹Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.

Society of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement

|July 25, 2007

Summary

Mammalian sperm undergo capacitation, a process of molecular and physiological changes within the female reproductive tract, to achieve fertilisation competence. This review explores recent advances and future research directions in understanding sperm capacitation.

More Related Videos

Using an Extracellular Flux Analyzer to Measure Changes in Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation during Mouse Sperm Capacitation

Using an Extracellular Flux Analyzer to Measure Changes in Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation during Mouse Sperm Capacitation

Published on: January 22, 2020

Measuring Intracellular Ca2+ Changes in Human Sperm using Four Techniques: Conventional Fluorometry, Stopped Flow Fluorometry, Flow Cytometry and Single Cell Imaging

Measuring Intracellular Ca²⁺ Changes in Human Sperm using Four Techniques: Conventional Fluorometry, Stopped Flow Fluorometry, Flow Cytometry and Single Cell Imaging

Published on: May 24, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Phosphopeptide Analysis of Rodent Epididymal Spermatozoa

Phosphopeptide Analysis of Rodent Epididymal Spermatozoa

Published on: December 30, 2014

Using an Extracellular Flux Analyzer to Measure Changes in Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation during Mouse Sperm Capacitation

Using an Extracellular Flux Analyzer to Measure Changes in Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation during Mouse Sperm Capacitation

Published on: January 22, 2020

Measuring Intracellular Ca2+ Changes in Human Sperm using Four Techniques: Conventional Fluorometry, Stopped Flow Fluorometry, Flow Cytometry and Single Cell Imaging

Measuring Intracellular Ca²⁺ Changes in Human Sperm using Four Techniques: Conventional Fluorometry, Stopped Flow Fluorometry, Flow Cytometry and Single Cell Imaging

Published on: May 24, 2013

Area of Science:

Reproductive Biology
Sperm Physiology
Cellular Signalling

Background:

Sperm require a period in the female reproductive tract to become fertilisation competent.
This maturation process is known as sperm capacitation.
Capacitation involves crucial molecular, biochemical, and physiological alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in understanding sperm capacitation.
To identify and summarize key unanswered questions in the field.
To propose future research directions for sperm capacitation.

Main Methods:

This is a review article, synthesizing existing research.
Focuses on molecular, biochemical, and physiological changes during capacitation.
Considers in vivo and in vitro models of capacitation.

Main Results:

Sperm capacitation involves changes in membrane properties, enzyme activity, and motility.
These modifications prepare sperm for the acrosome reaction and egg penetration.
Cell signalling cascades are critical for facilitating capacitation.

Conclusions:

Sperm capacitation is a complex process essential for mammalian fertilisation.
Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms and regulation of capacitation.
Understanding capacitation can inform fertility treatments and reproductive technologies.