Sperm Cell Journey: Biological Report on Fertilization Process

The report details the journey of a sperm cell, starting from its formation in the scrotum and its progression through the male reproductive system, including the epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and prostate gland. It then explains the process of ejaculation into the female reproductive system, highlighting the challenges the sperm faces, such as vaginal acidity, immune responses, and physical barriers. The report emphasizes the importance of the strongest sperm, which overcome these obstacles, and the acrosomal reaction, which allows the sperm to penetrate the egg's Zona Pellucida, leading to successful fertilization. References to relevant research papers are also included.

Running head: JOURNEY OF A SPERM CELL
JOURNEY OF A SPERM CELL
Name of the Student
Name of the university
Author’s note

1JOURNEY OF A SPERM CELL
Journey of a Sperm cell
Sperm cells are formed in the scrotum. It is the scrotum that protects the testicles and
helps to regulate the temperature of the testicles. The sperm travels up to the epididymis through
the testes to the sperm duct and moves to the vas deferens then to the seminal vesicles. It is
where the sperm cell is nourished and goes to the prostate gland. One last stop is made by the
sperm cell at the cowpers gland in order to get rid of the acidity of urination. The sperm finally
travels up the urethra and is ejaculated out of the penis. At the time of intercourse, the sperm is
shooted in to the vagina, which is again a long tube like structure in the female body (Ikawa et al.
2010).
It is where the sperm begins their next phase of the race of fertilizing the egg. Throughout
the journey the spermatozoa has to cross a number of hurdles making it difficult to get through
the fallopian tube and strike the egg. The sperm have to swim a distance of about 15 to 18 cm
and it does not take too long to reach the egg once it has been released from the ovary. A
spermatozoon is strong enough to remain viable for about 2-5 days inside the reproductive tract
of the female. Along the length of the tube, the most powerful sperm, who have been able to
overcome the obstacles of the female reproductive system such as the vaginal acidity, immune
response, cervical mucus and other physical barriers gain an extraordinary fertilization capacity
and the sperm tail becomes stronger and powerful to continue its journey with more energy and
efficiency (Moore et al. 2011).
The chosen sperm then goes through the acrosomal reaction, where the acrozomal
enzyme of the acrozome present in the head of the sperm weakens the Zona Pellucida of the egg
and breaks through it. As the sperm enters the egg, the nuclei fuse together and make the
fertilization process successful.

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References
Ikawa, M., Inoue, N., Benham, A.M. and Okabe, M., 2010. Fertilization: a sperm’s journey to
and interaction with the oocyte. The Journal of clinical investigation, 120(4), pp.984-994.
Moore, K.L., Persaud, T.V.N. and Torchia, M.G., 2011. The Developing Human E-Book.
Elsevier Health Sciences.