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#male reproduction

5 public questions tagged with this topic.

Fertilization in mammals-l

Sperm maturation from spermatids to spermatozoa is known as:

Round haploid spermatids produced after meiosis undergo dramatic morphological transformation called spermiogenesis without further division, converting into streamlined spermatozoa. Process includes formation of acrosome from Golgi vesicles, replacement of histones with transition proteins then protamines condensing nucleus, axoneme assembly forming flagellum, mitochondrial aggregation around midpiece forming helical sheath for ATP production, and removal of residual cytoplasm as residual bodies phagocytosed by Sertoli cells. Spermiogenesis yields functional gamete with motility apparatus, compact genome ready for fertilization but not yet capacitated for zona interaction, hyperactivation and fusion competence.

Ref: Gilbert, Developmental Biology, 12th ed., Chapter 19: Spermiogenesis – morphologic transformation of spermatids to spermatozoa.

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Fertilization in mammals-l

Spermatogenesis occurs in:

Spermatogenesis occurs within seminiferous tubules of testis, highly coiled tubules lined by complex stratified epithelium containing spermatogonial stem cells near basement membrane and Sertoli nurse cells spanning to lumen. Spermatogonia proliferate mitotically, type B spermatogonia differentiate into primary spermatocytes entering meiosis. Sertoli cells form blood-testis barrier via tight junctions creating immunoprivileged adluminal compartment where meiosis and spermiogenesis proceed supported by nutrients, hormones testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone. Peritubular myoid cells assist transport toward rete testis, epididymis for maturation, storage and eventual release.

Ref: Gilbert, Developmental Biology, 12th ed., Chapter 19: Spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules and Sertoli cell support.

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