Timing of sperm capacitation appears to be programmed according to egg availability in the female genital tract

Abstract

The time course of the level of A23187-induced acrosome reaction between human and rabbit spermatozoa was compared. It was extended in the former (a periodic ovulator) and short in the latter (an induced ovulator). This finding suggests that the capacitated state is programmed to maximize the prospects that an ovulated egg will meet spermatozoa in the best functional state.