Question

Capacitation occurs in
A. Female Reproductive tract
B. Rete testis
C. Epididymis
D. Vas deferens

Answer 1

Hint: Capacitation is the series of signaling, structural and biochemical remodeling events that leads to release of spermatozoa from the oviductal reservoir site and remodel the sperm surface, endow spermatozoa with hyperactivated motility and prepare them for the interactions with the oocyte at the time of fertilization.

Complete answer:
The ability of sperm to fertilize ova in the mammals is called capacitation. Capacitation is an important process that involves molecular and cellular changes that is required for the acrosomal exocytosis and interaction with the oocyte. The secretion of the female reproductive tract remove the coating substance which is deposited on the surface of the sperms which leads to the exposure of the receptor sites which make the sperm active to penetrate the egg.
Capacitation is also monitored by the changes in the sperm lipids as capacitation involves changes like loss of cholesterol, exposure of specific phospholipids, destabilization of the sperm membrane leaflet, activation of phospholipases and changes in composition of membrane phospholipids. There are changes in the patterns of phosphorylation of the sperm proteins during the process of capacitation. These changes lead to the activation of the sperm which helps the sperm to penetrate into the female egg and facilitate fertilization.

Hence, the correct option is A. Female reproductive tract.

Note: The process of capacitation is necessary because it leads to the fertilization of male and female gamete. If the process of capacitation does not occur it will lead to inactivation of the sperm and fertilization will not occur.