Question

Capacitation of sperms occurs in
A. Female genital tract
B. Vagina
C. Vas efferens
D. Vas deferens

Answer 1

Hint: Sperms are released into the vagina during sexual intercourse. As the sperms travel from the vagina to the ampulla of the fallopian tubes, they acquire the ability to fertilize the female gamete.

Complete answer:
We will start the discussion with the route taken by sperms from the testes to the female reproductive tract.

Sperms are the male gametes produced in the seminiferous tubules of testes by the process of spermatogenesis. The rete testis, vasa efferentia, epididymis, and vasa deferentia are the accessory ducts of the male reproductive system. Sperms are carried from the seminiferous tubules to the vasa efferentia through rete testis. The vas efferens descends from the testes and extends to the epididymis. The duct of the epididymis extends as vas deferens that terminates into a wide structure called the ampulla of the vas deferens.

Contraction of the smooth muscles present in the walls of epididymis and vas deferens propels the sperms. The ampulla of vas deferens and ducts of the seminal vesicle together form an ejaculatory duct which opens into the urethra. From the urethra, sperms are carried to the penis through the urethral meatus.

During sexual intercourse, sperms are ejaculated into the vagina from where they are transported to the uterus through the cervix. The contractions of the smooth muscles of the uterus and fallopian tubes carry the sperms to the ampulla of the uterine tube. As sperms travel through the female reproductive tract, they undergo capacitation to acquire the ability to fertilize the female ovum. Since capacitation requires several hours, it occurs throughout the female reproductive tract.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Capacitation makes the sperms more mobile and enables them to penetrate the secondary oocyte to facilitate fertilization. They also acquire the ability to exhibit acrosomal reaction during capacitation.