Sperm Cannot Fertilize an Egg Unless They Have Been in the Female

Essay

Sperm cannot fertilize an egg unless they have been in the female reproductive tract for several hours.This enhanced ability of the sperm to fertilize the ovum is called capacitation.In vitro studies indicate that sperm can be capacitated artificially if they are first washed in a solution of physiological saline supplemented with human serum.Based on this information, speculate on some possible changes that occur to sperm during capacitation, and suggest some possible factors involved in these changes.