Sperm Capacitation Mechanisms in Mammalian Reproduction
Summary
Sperm capacitation represents the final maturation phase that mammalian spermatozoa undergo after ejaculation, during which they acquire the capacity to fertilise an oocyte. This multifaceted process encompasses ionic fluxes—most notably calcium and bicarbonate influx—triggering activation of soluble adenylate cyclase and cyclic-AMP-dependent pathways. Concomitant rearrangements of the sperm plasma membrane involve cholesterol efflux, reorganisation of lipid rafts and increased membrane fluidity. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation and SNARE-mediated docking events at the acrosomal region prime the sperm for the subsequent acrosome reaction. Functionally, capacitation culminates in hyperactivated motility patterns and readiness for zona-pellucida penetration. Understanding these mechanisms underpins advances in assisted reproduction, fertility diagnostics and the development of novel contraceptives.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent proteomic analysis of stallion sperm has revealed differential abundance of more than 140 proteins in subfertile compared with fertile specimens, emphasising lipid metabolism pathways and diminished acrosomal enzyme distribution that correlate with reduced zona-binding capacity. Additionally, a BODIPY-cholesterol flow-cytometric assay has been validated, enabling precise quantification of cholesterol efflux in viable sperm populations and proving superior to filipin-based methods.
Sperm Capacitation Mechanisms in Mammalian Reproduction publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in sperm capacitation mechanisms in mammalian reproduction across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Capacitation: The process of biochemical and physiological modifications that spermatozoa undergo in the female tract, priming them for fertilisation.
Cholesterol efflux: The removal of cholesterol from the sperm plasma membrane, increasing membrane fluidity and facilitating acrosome reaction.
Acrosome reaction: The exocytotic release of enzymes from the sperm’s acrosomal vesicle, enabling penetration of the oocyte’s zona pellucida.
SNARE complex: A set of membrane-associated proteins that mediate the docking and fusion of the acrosomal and plasma membranes during capacitation and acrosome reaction.
References
- Proteomic analysis of sperm from fertile stallions and subfertile stallions due to impaired acrosomal exocytosis. Scientific Reports (2024).
- BODIPY-cholesterol can be reliably used to monitor cholesterol efflux from capacitating mammalian spermatozoa. Scientific Reports (2019).
- IVF with frozen-thawed sperm after prolonged capacitation yields comparable results to ICSI in horses: A morphokinetics study. Theriogenology (2024).
- Bicarbonate-Stimulated Membrane Reorganization in Stallion Spermatozoa. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (2021).
- A stallion spermatozoon’s journey through the mare’s genital tract: In vivo and in vitro aspects of sperm capacitation. Animal Reproduction Science (2021).
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.