Fertilization process

Fertilization is a complex, multi-step process in sexually reproducing organisms involving the fusion of male (sperm) and female (egg) gametes to form a diploid zygote. In mammals, this involves sperm capacitation, acrosome reaction, penetration of the egg’s extracellular layers (corona radiata and zona pellucida), membrane fusion, and activation of the oocyte. The process ensures that only one sperm fertilizes each egg via rapid and secondary blocks to polyspermy, such as cortical granule exocytosis and modifications to the zona pellucida. The immediate result is the formation of a zygote, which will then begin embryonic development. Note: If you seek molecular targets involved in human fertilization, candidates include zona pellucida glycoproteins (e.g., ZP2, ZP3), sperm surface proteins (e.g., IZUMO1), or receptors on the egg membrane, but the “fertilization process” as a whole does not fit molecular target classification. If you need specific molecular targets within the fertilization process, please clarify.

Other names

FertilizationConceptionFertilisation (British spelling)Gamete fusion