The process by which a sperm becomes capable of fertilizing an ovum after the sperm reaches the fallopian tube.
A natural process that helps sperm cells to fertilize ova. As they travel through the female reproductive tract, the plasma membranes of sperm cells break down, exposing the acrosomes to the acidic environment surrounding the corona radiata of the ovum. This attracts the sperm to the ovum and releases spermatic enzymes responsible for penetration. The entire process requires about 7 hours.