A special perspective on human fertilization: The role of sperm capacitation proteins and channels: A narrative review.

Abstract

Sperm undergo a last step of maturation known as capacitation in the female reproductive system, which prepares themselves to fertilize the ovum. Mechanisms of capacitation include changes in membrane composition, electrolyte concentration, pH levels, cellular and molecular pathways, signaling cascades, sperm protein phosphorylation, and sperm-specific channel activity. Capacitation is a strictly regulated process since it must occur at the appropriate time and place. In this study, Google Scholar, Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Scopus were used to search and retrieve data. The 2 main consequences of capacitation are modifications to the membrane composition and changes in sperm motility type. Decapacitation factors, which are primarily located in seminal fluid, should prevent ejaculated sperm from undergoing early capacitation. The activities of decapacitation factors diminish as seminal fluid is removed and sperm enter the female genital system, whereas the capacitation factors cause sperm to become capacitated. The proteins that either stimulate or hinder the process of capacitation have been investigated in this study, with a focus on expressing their role in human capacitation as accurately as possible. The role of suitable proteins for human assisted reproductive technology and in vitro fertilization, would likely be better understood if studies could concentrate on the human route after investigating the capacitation process in various animals.