[Role of the female environment in sperm capacitation]

The female genital tract plays a vital role in ensuring successful fertilization and normal early embryonic development. The process of capacitation needs an active and specific coordination between the female tract, ovulation and the spermatozoa. During sperm ascension towards the fertilisation site, a final maturation of male gametes, also called sperm capacitation, takes place in a well-controlled manner. Before ovulation, most of spermatozoa bind oviduct, in the isthmic region that plays a role of sperm reservoir. During sperm binding to the epithelial cells the capacitation process is delayed and spermatozoa can survey several days. The capacitation is completed when spermatozoa are released at the ovulation time. They are then guided towards the oocyte likely thanks to combination of female factors, including those provided from oviduct secretions and cumulus cells.