Video of human<unk>  cells moving under a microscope<unk>  describes the ability of<unk>  to move properly through the female reproductive tract (internal fertilization) or through water (external fertilization) to reach the egg.<unk>  can also be thought of as the quality, which is a factor in successful conception;<unk>  that do not "swim" properly will not reach the egg in order to fertilize it.<unk>  in mammals also facilitates the passage of the<unk>  through the cumulus oophorus (a layer of cells) and the zona pellucida (a layer of extracellular matrix), which surround the mammalian oocyte. In the wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus,<unk> s aggregate in 'trains' that are better able to fertilize eggs because they are more capable of navigating the viscous environment of the female reproductive tract. The trains move in a sinusoidal motion.<unk>  is also affected by certain factors released by eggs.<unk>  movement is activated by changes in intracellular ion concentration. The changes in ion concentration that provoke<unk>  are different among species. In marine invertebrates and sea urchins, the rise in pH to about 7.2–7.6 activates ATPase which leads to a decrease in intracellular potassium, and thus induces membrane hyperpolarization. As a result,<unk>  movement is activated. The change in cell volume which alters intracellular ion concentration can also contribute to the activation of<unk> . In some mammals,<unk>  is activated by increase in pH, calcium ion and cAMP, yet it is suppressed by low pH in the epididymis. The tail of the<unk>  - the flagellum - confers<unk>  upon the<unk> , and has three principal components: # a central skeleton constructed of 11 microtubules collectively termed the axoneme and similar to the equivalent structure found in cilia # a thin cell membrane covering the axoneme # mitochondria arranged spirally around the axoneme at the middle-piece, Back and forth movement of the tail results from a rhythmical longitudinal sliding motion between the anterior and posterior tubules that make up the axoneme. The energy for this process is supplied by ATP produced by mitochondria. The velocity of a<unk>  in fluid medium is usually 1–4 mm/min. This allows the<unk>  to move towards an ovum in order to fertilize it. The axoneme is attached at its base to a centriole known as the distal centriole and acts as a basal body. In most animals, this distal centriole act as a shock absorber preventing the microtubules filaments from moving at the axoneme base. In contrast, in mammals, the distal centriole evolved an atypical structure, known as the atypical distal centriole. The atypical centriole is made of splayed microtubules organized into left and right sides. During<unk>  movement, the two sides move relative to each other, helping to shape the waveform of the<unk>  tail. In mammals,<unk> atozoa mature functionally through a process which is known as capacitation. When<unk> atozoa reach the isthmic oviduct, their<unk>  has been reported to be reduced as they attach to epithelium. Near the time of ovulation, hyperactivation occurs. During this process, the flagella move with high curvature and long wavelength. Hyperactivation is initiated by extracellular calcium; however, the factors that regulate calcium level is unknown. Without technological intervention, a non-motile or abnormally-motile<unk>  is not going to fertilize. Therefore, the fraction of a<unk>  population that is motile is widely used as a measure of semen quality . Insufficient<unk>  is a common cause of subfertility or infertility. Several measures are available to improve<unk>  quality.
Sperm motility
Uterine microbiome
Ovum quality
Cup-to-disc ratio
Sex chromosome
Colonial morphology
Pharmacokinetics of progesterone
Optokinetic response