Final answer:
Spermatozoa use fructose as their main source of fuel, which is found in the seminal fluid. The process of capacitation triggered by the fluids in the female reproductive tract is necessary for sperm to fertilize an oocyte.
Step-by-step explanation:
Spermatozoa, or sperm cells, utilize a simple sugar known as fructose for their primary source of fuel. This sugar is a key component of the seminal fluid that accompanies sperm. In the female reproductive tract, seminal fluids with a basic pH help extend the lifespan of the sperm in the acidic environment of the vagina. Proteins and other substances within the fluid also nourish the sperm.
During the journey to fertilize an oocyte, sperm undergo a process known as capacitation, which enhances their ability to penetrate the oocyte's protective layers. Fluids within the female reproductive tract play a crucial role in this process by improving sperm motility and facilitating the release of lysosomal enzymes needed for the sperm to penetrate the oocyte upon contact. Sperm washing is a technique used to remove seminal fluid, which contains high concentrations of a peptide that prevents capacitation, thus improving the sperm's mobility and increasing their chances of successful fertilization.