Fertilization consists of a sequence of specific cell-cell interactions culminating in the fusion of the sperm and egg plasma membranes. Recognition, binding, and fusion occur through the interaction of complementary molecules that are localized to specific domains of the sperm and egg plasma membranes. In the sperm, the postacrosomal region or equatorial segment is involved in sperm-egg plasma membrane fusion.

Cysteine-rich secretory protein 1 is a member of the cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRISP) family. This protein is expressed in the epididymis, is secreted into the epididymal lumen, and binds to the postacrosomal region of the sperm head where it plays a role at fertilization in sperm-egg fusion through complementary sites localized on the egg surface.