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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...

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...

Meiosis II

Meiosis II

Meiosis II is the second and final stage of meiosis. It relies on the haploid cells produced during meiosis I, each of which contain only 23 chromosomes—one from each homologous initial pair. Importantly, each chromosome in these cells is composed of two joined copies, and when these cells enter meiosis II, the goal is to separate such sister chromatids using the same microtubule-based network employed in other division processes. The result of meiosis II is two haploid cells, each containing...

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...

Sperm Structure and Semen Composition

Sperm Structure and Semen Composition

During ejaculation, males release around 2-5 milliliters of semen, which is a complex mixture of mature sperm and various fluids produced by accessory glands. The mature sperm cells measure approximately 60 micrometers in length and consist of a head, neck, midpiece, and tail. The head is flattened and tapered, measuring about 4 to 5 micrometers in length. It contains a nucleus with condensed chromosomes and an acrosome, a cap-like structure filled with enzymes essential for penetrating the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Medium-throughput Screening Assays for Assessment of Effects on Ca2+-Signaling and Acrosome Reaction in Human Sperm

Medium-throughput Screening Assays for Assessment of Effects on Ca²⁺-Signaling and Acrosome Reaction in Human Sperm

Published on: March 1, 2019

Sperm-egg interaction.

Janice P Evans¹

¹Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. jpevans@jhsph.edu

Annual Review of Physiology

|November 8, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Sperm-egg interaction is key for fertilization. Critical proteins like CD9 and IZUMO1 are essential, with other molecules playing supporting roles in gamete fusion and membrane regulation.

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Area of Science:

Reproductive Biology
Cell Biology
Developmental Biology

Background:

Fertilization requires successful sperm-egg interaction for zygote formation.
Key proteins like egg-surface CD9 and sperm-surface IZUMO1 are essential for mouse fertilization.
Research in diverse organisms reveals additional molecules involved in gamete fusion.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the multifaceted roles of molecules involved in sperm-egg interactions.
To understand how different proteins contribute to gamete membrane fusion and function.
To identify both essential and supporting players in fertilization.

Main Methods:

Analysis of fertilization phenotypes in knockout mouse models (Cd9(-/-), Izumo1(-/-)).
Characterization of in vivo and in vitro fertilization processes.
Investigating molecular interactions and their impact on gamete membranes.

Main Results:

CD9 and IZUMO1 are critical for mouse fertility, with their absence causing severe subfertility.
Studies in nonmammalian species have identified novel candidates involved in gamete interaction.
Gamete molecules exhibit diverse functions, including adhesion, fusion, and regulation of membrane properties through cis-interactions.

Conclusions:

Sperm-egg interaction involves a complex interplay of molecules with varied functions.
Beyond essential fusogens and adhesion molecules, other proteins modulate membrane order and functionality.
Understanding these interactions provides insights into reproductive success and potential therapeutic targets.