The material discusses about : Male reproduction system Spermatogenesis stages Spermiogenesis process and structure of a mature sperm

erm Hormonal control of spermatogenesis The shapes of sperm

The male reproductive pathway : (a). human; (b) animal

1. Male reproduction system

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1. Vas deferens/sperm duct 1 duct from testis out to penis 2. Epididymis in which sperm mature,and become motile. Collecting duct where sperm are stored. 3. Fibrous coat surrounding and 2 protecting the testis. 4. Seminiferous tubules in which the sperm are produce site of spermatogenesis & spermiogenesis

spermatogonium Sertoli cell

Primary spermatocyte Secondary spermatocyte

Developing sperm on tubulus seminiferous Starting from primordial germ cells from outer wall of tubule toward lumen

spermatid

sperm

What is spermiogenesis ?
The spermatids do not divide further but transform into spermatozoa by a process called spermiogenesis

Spermiogenesis : Sperm head from nucleus Acrosome from lysosome Midpiece from mitochondria Neck and flagellum from centriole Golgi apparatus losses

Structure of a mature sperm :

It consists of four parts : head, neck, body and tail.

Hormonal Control of Spermatogenesis

1. GnRH Hypothalamic hormone that controls release of anterior pituitary hormones (LH and FSH)
2. FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) Produced by anterior pituitary FSH is required to stimulate Sertoli cell function, during development FSH regulates the mitotic divisions and spermatogonia development Spermatozoa is increased by FSH

3. LH (Luteinizing hormone) Produced by anterior pituitary Increases testosterone production by Leydig cells

4. Testosterone Produced by Leydig cells, it is androgen (sex hormones) Promotes Sertoli cell function After the Sertoli function is developed, testosterone alone will maintain spermatogenesis 5. Inhibin Produced by Sertoli cells FSH levels in males is decreased by inhibin

Hormonal Control of Spermatogenesis

hook-shaped heads

paddle-shaped heads

spindle-shaped heads

Sperm from different species vary in size and shape. The images shown below of rat, bull and chicken sperm are all at the same magnification.

frog sperm

chicken sperm

Locust sperm

Abnormality types of spermatozoa