If an egg is present in the oviduct,fertilization is promoted only after several hours of capacitation have passed for sperm cells.

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Capacitation is a process that sperm cells undergo in the female reproductive tract, which involves various biochemical and physiological changes that enable them to fertilize an egg. However, even if sperm cells have undergone capacitation, they cannot fertilize an egg immediately upon contact with it. Instead, they need to undergo an acrosome reaction, which involves the release of digestive enzymes that allow them to penetrate the zona pellucida (a protective layer around the egg) and reach the egg membrane. This process takes several hours, during which the sperm cells are propelled by muscular contractions in the oviduct and are exposed to chemical signals from the egg and surrounding tissues. Therefore, fertilization is not promoted immediately upon capacitation, but rather requires some time for the sperm cells to reach and penetrate the egg.

If an Egg Is Present in the Oviduct,fertilization Is Promoted