Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Sperm Capacitation
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Reproductive Cells and Development".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 67
Special Issue Editors
Interests: sperm physiology; acrosome reaction; capacitation; infertility
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: reproductive biology; signaling pathway; spermatogenesis; male infertility; in vitro fertilization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: signaling pathway; acrosome reaction; capacitation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Sperm capacitation is a highly regulated biological process that enables mammalian spermatozoa to acquire fertilizing competence through a series of coordinated cellular and molecular events. This complex transformation involves dynamic remodeling of the plasma membrane, ion fluxes and activation of intracellular signaling pathways, ultimately leading to hyperactivated motility and the ability to undergo the acrosome reaction. At the molecular level, capacitation is driven by tightly controlled mechanisms, including protein phosphorylation cascades, calcium signaling and the regulation of protein turnover and localization.
Despite significant advances, many aspects of the regulatory networks governing sperm capacitation remain incompletely understood. Emerging evidence highlights the roles of post-translational modifications, protein–protein interactions and proteostasis systems in orchestrating these events. Furthermore, studies using diverse biological models continue to reveal both conserved and context-dependent mechanisms underlying this process.
This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating sperm capacitation, with particular emphasis on intracellular signaling pathways, membrane dynamics and functional outcomes. We welcome original research articles and reviews addressing mechanistic insights into sperm physiology, contributing to a deeper understanding of fertilization and male reproductive biology.
Dr. Patricio J. Morales
Dr. Héctor Zapata-Carmona
Dr. Milene Kong
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- sperm capacitation
- acrosome reaction
- protein phosphorylation
- calcium signaling
- signal transduction
- post-translational modifications
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
