Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

capacitation

noun

/ˌkæpəˈsɪteɪʃən/

Definition

The process by which spermatozoa gain the ability to fertilize an egg.

Examples

During capacitation, changes occur in the sperm that are crucial for fertilization.
Research has shown that capacitation is essential for successful reproduction in many species.
Capacitation is often studied in the context of assisted reproductive technologies.

Meaning

Capacitation refers to the changes that sperm undergo after entering the female reproductive tract, which enable them to successfully penetrate and fertilize the oocyte.