Do sperm truly race to the egg?

Do sperm truly race to the egg?


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It is a common belief that sperm "race" to the egg, with the first to arrive achieving fertilization. But is this perception accurate?

The notion of sperm "racing" toward an egg is not entirely correct.

Fertilization is often likened to a grand swimming competition: millions of sperm propel themselves toward the egg, with one — the fastest, strongest, and healthiest — ultimately succeeding in entering the egg and passing on its genetic material to future generations.

But is this truly the process? Do sperm genuinely race to the egg?

The answer is both yes and no, according to David J. Miller, a professor in the animal sciences department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, who spoke with Live Science. "The female reproductive tract plays a crucial role in this process."

While sperm do swim, Miller clarified that "the primary movement is actually facilitated by contractions of the female tract." For instance, uterine contractions resemble those of the gastrointestinal tract and can effectively move fluid through the uterus.

A study conducted in 1996 demonstrated the efficiency of these contractions, as noted by Miller. Researchers introduced sperm-sized beads into the uteruses of 64 women, and some beads reached the fallopian tubes — the typical site of fertilization — within minutes.

Source @live science

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