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The presented paper is the survey of the most important literature concerning one of the basic biological properties of spermatozoa which is their chemotaxis during the process of fertilization. During the recent years a significant progress in the knowledge of this matter has been observed, especially in relation to human and mammal spermatozoa. A natural chemotactic factor is, in the case of mammals, the vesicle fluid. It is not known, however, which of its components is of the crucial importance. Numerous hormones, cytokines and other growth factors as well as other components of the vesicle fluid have been described as chemoattractants. It can be concluded from the research carried out so far that the chemotactic activity of the vesicle fluid results from its complex composition, and not from the existence of one chemical substance which could be crucial for the process.

There has been described molecular events towards preparation of spermatozoa for fertilization as capacitation (process known to be characterized by increased mobility of membrane components on sperm surface) and acrosomal reaction (fusion of spermatozoon plasmalemma with outer acrosomal membrane with following destruction of acrosomal compartment and enzyme release). There have been also described hypotheses concerning activity of exposed during acrosomal reaction receptors for gamete binding and especially sperm receptors located on egg's zona pellucida. The role of acrosomal enzymes in penetration of zona pellucida by sperm as well as inhibition of enzymatic action were discussed in aspect of contraceptive potential.