Dr.

Jayanta Sarkar
Post Graduate Trainee
Department of Anatomy
To know about the process of Spermatogenesis
This is a complex process of Maturation of Male Gametes
in the wall of Seminiferous tubules which includes series
of cyclical changes that converts Primordial germ cells to
Spermatozoa.

Begins at Puberty.
1. Spermatogoniogenesis (spermatocytosis)

2. Meiosis of spermatocytes

3. Spermiogenesis
Primordial Germ Cells
divide by Mitosis to form
Dark Type A Spermatogonia.

Dark Type A Spermatogonia
act as stem cell.

Dark type A Spermatogonia
divides by Mitosis to Dark Type A
& Light Type A Spermatogonium.
Light Type A Spermatogonia
divides by Mitosis into Two
Type B Spermatogonia.

Type B spermatogonia divides
into two Primary Spermatocytes.

Spermatogonial cell divisions are
incomplete.
Daughter cells remain interconnected
by Cytoplasmic bridges.

Clones derived from one stem cell
forms syncytium of cells.

Syncytium of cells persists up to
spermatocyte stage.
This stage is manifested through
changes in chromatin configuration
in the nucleus after the last
spermatogonial division.

Cells in meiosis are called spermatocytes.

Process of meiosis comprises two divisions.

Cells before the first division are called
primary spermatocytes.

Cells before the second division are known as
secondary spermatocytes.

Primary spermatocytes are the largest germ cells
of the germinal epithelium.
Meiosis of spermatocytes starts with the leptotene stage
of prophase already in the basal compartment of the
germinal epithelium.

They pass the Sertoli cell barrier and reach the
adluminal compartment.
Then continue with the further prophase stages
(the zygotene, the pachytene and the diplotene stage).

During the prophase
the reduplication of DNA,
the condensation of chromosomes,
the pairing of homologuous chromosomes and
the "crossing over" take place.
After division the germ cells become
secondary spermatocytes.

They undergo no DNA replication.

They divide quickly to the spermatids.

The two maturation divisions of each
spermatocyte result in four
haploid cells -- the spermatids.
Morphological transformation of Spermatids into Spermatozoa

No cell division takes place.

During the cytodifferentiation of spermatids:
Condensation of the nuclear chromatin to about one
tenth of the volume of an immature spermatid

Formation of the enzyme filled acrosome cap by the
Golgi apparatus and its attachment to the nucleus

Development of flagellum structures and their
Implantation to the nucleus.
The complex Process by which the spermatids are enabled
to leave the germinal epithelium is called spermiation.

Managed by Sertoli cells.

Spermatids are advanced to the border of the lumen of the
seminiferous tubule as a result of the complex cooperation
of intermediate filaments and cytoplasmic tubules of the
Sertoli cells.

Now, the mature spermatids close their intercellular bridges,
disconnect their contact to the germinal epithelium and
become free cells.
At this stage they are called spermatozoa.

Smaller parts of the spermatids with cumulated
RNA granules, a few mitochondria, lipid droplets
and membranes are released, form residual bodies.

Residual bodies are incorporated and digested by
the Sertoli cells.
Developed from Testis cords
by canalization at puberty.

Spermatogenesis occurs in
the seminiferous tubule.

Both ends open in rete testis.

Consists of Germinal Epithelium
and Peritubular tissue.
Seminiferous epithelium
is of two types:
Somatic cells- Sustentacular cells of Sertoli
Germ cells- at different stages
Germ cells of different stages
are found at different levels from
basement membrane to lumen.

Germ cells are surrounded by
cytoplasm of Sertoli cells.

Sertoli cell cytoplasm extends
the whole thickness of epithelium.
Forms the Blood Testis barrier.

Exhibits increased amount of
lipid droplets with advancing age
- acts as Biological clock.

Provides Sustentacular and
nutritive support for the germ cells.

Organize the delivery of mature
spermatids into the tubular lumen
(spermiation).
Produce endocrine and paracrine substances for the
regulation of spermatogenesis.

Secrete androgen binding protein (ABP) for the
maintenance of epithelia of the excurrent duct system.

Interacts with the intertubular endocrine Leydig cells.
Sertoli cell barrier (blood-testis-barrier) is
tight occluding junction formed between
adjacent Sertoli cells separating basal and
adluminal compartments.

The barrier separates most germ cells
from blood-borne substances and lymph,
thus requiring the Sertoli cell to sustain
germ cell development.
The peritubular tissue consists of
about five layers of myofibroblasts
with intermingled connective tissue.

The myofibroblasts cause peristaltic
contractions of the seminiferous tubule
to transport of the immotile spermatozoa
to the rete testis.

The thickness of the peritubular tissue
normally is about 8 m.
Contains :
microvasculature,

the Leydig cells,

nerve fibres,

macrophages,

fibroblasts,

further connective tissue cells(Co-cells)
Microvasculature:
They are-
Inter Leydig cell capillaries of Arterial side
Intramural capillaries of peritubular wall
Inter Leydig cell capillaries of Venous side
Leydig cells partially ensheath
these microvasculature.

Thus secretes apocrine and
endocrine secretions in them.
Leydig cells
Most prominent cells of intertubular space.

Produce and secrete Testosterone.

Possess neuroendocrine properties.
Express serotonin, catecholamine synthesizing enzymes,
neuropeptides, Cell adhesion molecules, components of the
NO/cGMP-system, components of the renin/angiotensin
system, Neurofilament proteins, synaptic and storage vesicle
proteins, and numerous growth factors and their receptors.
Fibroblasts:
They are randomly distributed in the intertubular space.

In part they engulf groups of Leydig cells,
capillaries and seminiferous tubules
and represent compartmentalizing cells (Co-cells).
Macrophages:
Normal constituent of the intertubular space.

Single cells are attached to the seminiferous tubules,
Leydig cells or partly to blood vessels.

Morphologically different immigrant macrophages appear.

They are able to enter the lumen of seminiferous tubules
and phagocytose spermatozoa.
Spermatozoa with their unique shape
are suitable for the transport to the
female gamete.

For this reason the nucleus of the
spermatozoon is condensed,
covered by an acrosome for establishing
contact to the female Gamete.

Connected with a flagellum for
progressive motility.
The diameter of the head of spermatozoon is 45 m.
The diameter of the flagellum is of 12 m.
The length of the spermatozoon measures 60 m.
Spermatozoa acquire their competence of motility during
the transport throughout the epididymal ducts.
The motility of spermatozoa depends from normal
development of the axoneme structures (e.g.
microtubule doublets, dynein arms, etc.), the presence of
mitochondrial sheath and the implantation of the flagellum
at the nucleus by the both centrioles.
Intrinsic Regulation:
The Leydig cells secrete testosterone and
additional neuroendocrine substances and
growth factors.

They influence the contractility of myofibroblasts.

They also contribute to the regulation of blood flow
in the intertubular microvasculature.

Different growth factors (IGF1, TGF, NGF),
delivered from Sertoli cells take part in regulation of
cell functions and developmental processes of germ cells.
Extrinsic Regulation:
Pulsatile secretion GnRH from the hypothalamus initiates
the release of luteinizing hormone LH of the hypophysis.

As a result of this stimulus Leydig cells produce testosterone.

Testosterone influences spermatogenesis in the
seminiferous tubules.
Distributed throughout the body and provides
feedback to the hypophysis related to the
secretory activity of Leydig cells.

Stimulation of Sertoli cells by the pituitary FSH
is necessary for the maturation of germ cells.

The Sertoli cells secrete inhibin in the
feedback mechanism.
Extrinsic Regulation:
SRY gene on short arm of Y (Yp11) is responsible
for sexual dimorphism.

SRY protein is the Testis determining factor.

SRY acts in conjunction of autosomal gene SOX9.

Y-chromosome-encoded gene RBMY (RNA-binding motif on Y)
is responsible for Spermatogenesis.