SPERMATOGENESIS

Spermatogenic cycle
The following is an example of how the number of spermatozoa is increased by repetitive mitotic divisions of
spermatogonial cells followed by the two meiotic divisions. There are actually more than 4 types of spermatogonia,
so the actual number of mature spermatozoa originating from the initial division of a type A 1 spermatogonium is
actually greater than 96.

A1 24 primary spermatocytes
First meiotic division lasts
Mitosis several weeks in humans
Meiosis I Reductional division

2A1 48 secondary spermatocytes Second meiotic division takes

Mitosis about 8 hours in humans
Meiosis II Equational division

Mitosis
A1 3A2 96 spermatids An entire spermatogenic cycle in
humans takes about 64 days.
Mitosis

6B1 Spermiogenesis
Mitosis
= Spermateleosis
= Spermatozoan metamorphosis

12B2
The maturing spermatids remain
attached by cytoplasmic bridges
as they mature
=> syncytium
96 mature spermatozoa
Lets think about meiosis:

1. Where did the chromosomes come from?

2. Why are there pairs of chromosomes?
3. How must the chromosomes segregate if
youre going to have sexual reproduction?
What do you have to end up with in he
gametes?
4. How would you accomplish this in two
divisions?
 CHROMOSOME TERMINOLOGY

I X
Replication

Single Chromosome Replicated Chromosome

Monad Dyad - Two Chromatids

M P M P Replicated

II XX
Homologous
Homologous
Gene Loci Replication
Gene Loci

Homologous Pair Replicated

Homologous Pair
Synapsis
M P

X X
Tetrad = Two Synapsed replicated
Homologues
 Genetic content vs Chromosome number

Diploid genetic content - 2n - the 2

represents the fact that each gene locus
can contain a maximum of 2 different gene
alleles (e.g., one dominant and one
recessive). n is the total number of
homologous gene loci in the genome (a
M P very big number).

Diploid chromosome number - 2c - the 2

represents the fact that there are 2
chromosomes in each homologous pair.
M
c is the total number of homologous pairs
P
of chromosomes.

M M P P

Meiosis
Genetic Content (n) and Chromosome Number (c)
Turn off pic-in-pic
First meiotic prophase:
Leptotene
Chromosomes start to condense, dyads (replicated chromosomes) of homologous
pairs first become visible as linear strings of DNA

Zygotene
Chromosomes condense further. Dyads of homologous pairs of chromosomes pair-up
and their chromatids start to undergo synapsis.

Pachytene
Synapsis is completed with synapsed chromosomes forming tetrads. Cross-over
takes place. Synapsed chromosomes thicken up (pachy - thick).

Diplotene
Chromosomes condense further, Desynapsis begins. Chromatids of homologous
pairs of chromosomes remain connected at chiasmata where cross-over may have
occurred.

Diakinesis
Chromosomes condense even further. Separating tetrads form strange shapes like
crosses, fish, infinity signs as chiasmata move toward the ends of the paired
chromatids of the homologous chromosomes (called terminalization). Eventually
desynapsis is completed and the homologues separate from one and other
completely and metaphase begins.
Spermatogenesis in an
Invertebrate - grasshopper
 Spermatogenesis in Vertebrates

Figure on Page 89 of your text

 Spermatogenesis in Vertebrates

Figure of rat testis in digital lab

manual
 Spermatogenesis in Vertebrates

Figure of human testis in digital

lab manual
 Spermiogenesis

1. Nucleus condenses (chromosomes

condense and nuclear sap is removed)

2. Flagellum develops

3. Spermatocyte elongates

4. Acrosome formed from golgi body

5. Mitochondria aggregate around base of

forming flagellum

6. Mitochondria fuse to form

supermitochondrion (in humans)

7. Most of cytoplasm is shed and phagocytosed

by sertoli cell (tubulobulbar processes)
1. Nucleus condenses (chromosomes
condense and nuclear sap is removed)

2. Flagellum develops

3. Spermatocyte elongates

4. Acrosome formed from golgi body

5. Mitochondria aggregate around base of

forming flagellum

6. Mitochondria fuse to form

supermitochondrion (in humans)

7. Most of cytoplasm is shed and phagocytosed

by sertoli cell (tubulobulbar processes)
Sertoli cell function
1. Remove excess cytoplasm from developing
spermatid - tubulobulbar processes
2. Move spermatids toward the lumen of the
seminiferous tubules - ectoplasmic specializations
3. Nurture and mediate maturation of spermatids
4. Segregate groups of developing gametes
5. Secrete fluid to transport sperm in reproductive
tract
6. Secrete hormones and other factors
a. Embryonic - anti-mullarian hormone
b. Adult
(1) inhibin (inhibits FSH production)
(2) estrogen - may act to inhibit GnRH production by
basal hypothalamus
(3) Other factor (not a hormone) - androgen binding
protein (helps transport androgens from interstitial
fluid into seminiferous tubule - promotes
spermatogenesis)
http://education.vetmed.vt.edu/Curriculum/VM8054/Labs/Lab27/EXAMPLES/EXSERTOL.HTM