SPERMATOGENESIS

DR. BRANCH
LESSON OBJECTIVES

• To understand the steps involved in spermatogenesis

• The student after completing this module should know the stages of
development of the spermatocyte
• The student should also be able to relate the previous class on
meiosis to spermatogenesis
INTRODUCTION
• Spermatogenesis, includes all of the events by which spermatogonia are
transformed into spermatozoa.
• Begins at birth
• is classically divided into three phases: spermatocytogenesis, meiosis, and
spermiogenesis
Phase 1: SPERMATOCYTOGENESIS

• Primordial germ cells (46, 2N) from the wall of the yolk sac arrive in
the testes at week 6 and remain dormant until puberty
• At birth, primordial germ cells are located in the sex cords of the testis
surrounded by supporting epithelial cells
• The supporting epithelial cells become Sertoli cells
Phase 1: SPERMATOCYTOGENESIS
• Shortly before puberty, the sex cords acquire a lumen and become the
seminiferous tubules. At about the same time, PGCs give rise to
spermatogonial stem cells
• At puberty, primordial germ cells differentiate into type A spermatogonia
(46, 2N).
• Type A spermatogonia undergo mitosis to provide a continuous supply of
stem cells throughout the reproductive life of the male.
• Type A cells undergo a limited number of mitotic divisions to form clones of
cells. The last cell division produces type B spermatogonia (46, 2N).
Phase 2: MEIOSIS

• Type B spermatogonia (46, 2N) enter meiosis I and undergo DNA

replication to form primary spermatocytes (46,4N).
• Primary spermatocytes have a prolonged prophase I (22 days)
followed by a rapid completion of meiosis I to form two secondary
spermatocytes (23,2N).
• Secondary spermatocytes complete meiosis II to form four
spermatids (23,1N).
SOME THINGS TO NOTE

• Throughout spermatocytogenesis and meiosis, cytokinesis is incomplete

so that successive cell generations are joined by cytoplasmic bridges
• Spermatogonia and spermatids remain embedded in deep recesses of
Sertoli cells throughout their development because Sertoli cells support
and protect the germ cells, participate in their nutrition, and assist in
the release of mature spermatozoa.
SOME THINGS TO NOTE

• Spermatogenesis is regulated by Luteinizing Hormone (LH) production

by the pituitary gland.
• LH binds to receptors on Leydig cells and stimulates testosterone
production, which in turn binds to Sertoli cells to promote
spermatogenesis.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is also essential because its binding
to Sertoli cells stimulates testicular fluid production.
Phase 3: SPERMIOGENESIS

• Spermatids undergo a post-meiotic series of morphological changes

(called spermiogenesis) to form sperm (23,1N):
1. formation of the acrosome, which covers half of the nuclear surface and
contains enzymes to assist in penetration of the egg and its surrounding
layers during fertilization
2. condensation of the nucleus
3. formation of neck, middle piece, and tail
4. shedding of most of the cytoplasm as residual bodies that are
phagocytized by Sertoli cells
To Note!
• In humans, the time required for a
spermatogonium to develop into a mature
spermatozoon is approximately 74 days
• Approximately 300 million sperm cells are
produced daily.
• When fully formed, spermatozoa enter the
lumen of seminiferous tubules. From there,
they are pushed toward the epididymis
• Although initially only slightly motile,
spermatozoa obtain full motility in the
epididymis.
To Note!
• Newly ejaculated sperm are
incapable of fertilization until they
undergo capacitation, which occurs
in the female reproductive tract

• Capacitation involves the

unmasking of sperm
glycosyltransferases and removal of
proteins coating the surface of the
sperm
Some Clinical Correlations
CLINICAL CORRELATION: Male
Infertility
Sperm number and motility:
• Infertile males produce less than
10 million sperm/ mL of semen.
• Fertile males produce from 20 to
more than 100 million sperm/mL of
semen.
• Normally up to 10% of sperm in an
ejaculate may be grossly deformed
(two heads, two tails, dwarf/ giant
etc), but these sperm probably do
not fertilize an oocyte owing to their
lack of motility.
Question 1
• Which of the following describes the number of chromosomes and
amount of DNA in a gamete?
(A) 46 chromosomes, 1N
(B) 46 chromosomes, 2N
(C) 23 chromosomes, 1N
(D) 23 chromosomes, 2N
(E) 23 chromosomes, 4N
Question 2
• Which of the following chromosome compositions in a sperm
normally results in the production of a genetic female if
fertilization occurs?
(A) 23 homologous pairs of chromosomes
(B) 22 homologous pairs of chromosomes
(C) 23 autosomes plus an X chromosome
(D) 22 autosomes plus a Y chromosome
(E) 22 autosomes plus an X chromosome
Question 3
• Approximately how many sperm will be ejaculated by a normal
fertile male during sexual intercourse?
(A) 10 million
(B) 20 million
(C) 35 million
(D) 100 million
(E) 350 million
Question 4
• In the production of male gametes, which of the following cells
remains dormant for 12 years?
(A) Primordial germ cell
(B) Primary spermatocyte
(C) Secondary spermatocyte
(D) Spermatid
(E) Sperm
References
• Sadler, T.W (2019). Langman’s Medical Embryology, 14 th Ed. 2:29-32
• Dudek, R.W (2014). Board Review Series Embryology, 6 th Ed. 1:4-9
• Google images