Presented by

Dr. Amen Fatima

BSPT, tDPT (UHS)
 Todays Discussion
By the end of the lecture, you should
be able to:
Define gametogenesis.
Meiosis
Spermatogenesis
Sperm transport
Maturation of sperm
It is the production of
mature male & female
gametes (Sperms &
Ova).
The gametes are derived
from primordial germ
cells in 2nd week of
development
 Spermatogenesis:
 It is the series of
changes by which the
primitive germ cells
(spermatogonia) are
transformed into
mature sperms.
Site of spermatogenesis
FACTS
The testis descends through the pelvis and inguinal
canal during the seventh and eighth months of
fetal life.
Normal spermatogenesis can occur only if the testes
are at a temperature lower than that of the
abdominal cavity.
When they are located in the scrotum, they are at a
temperature about 3°C lower than the abdominal
temperature.
 At the beginning of meiosis I, (prophase) germ cells replicate their
DNA so that each of the 46 chromosomes is duplicated into sister
Chromatids.
 A. Homologous chromosomes approach each other.
 B. Homologous chromosomes pair, and each member of the pair
consists of two chromatids.
 C. Intimately paired homologous chromosomes interchange
chromatid fragments (crossover). Note the chiasma.
 D. Double-structured chromosomes pull apart.
 E. Anaphase of the first meiotic division.
 F,G. During the second meiotic division, the double structured
chromosomes split at the centromere. At completion of division,
chromosomes in each of the four daughter cells are different from
each other.
ME
IO
S IS
By the end of the first meiotic division, each new cell
formed (Secondary Spermatocyte or Secondary
Oocyte) has haploid (half) number of
chromosomes.
It is half number of chromosomes of the Primary
Oocyte or Spermatocyte .
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MITOSIS & MEIOSIS?
MITOSIS
Two cells, having the same number
of chromosomes as the parent
Cellular reproduction, growth,
repair, asexual reproduction
Somatic cells
Prophase, Prometaphase,
Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase
Yes
Very rarely
No
MEIOSIS
Normally four cells, each with half
the number of chromosomes as the End result
parent
Production of gametes (sex cells) in
sexually reproducing eukaryotes with Function
diplont life cycle
Germ cells Where does it happen?
Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I,
Telophase I, 
Steps
Prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase
II, Telophase II
Genetically same as
No
parent?
Yes, normally occurs between each
Crossing over happens?
pair of homologous chromosomes
Pairing of homologous
Yes
chromosomes?
1. Reduces the Diploid number of chromosomes to
Haploid.
2. Allows shuffling of maternal & paternal
chromosomes between the gametes (Segregation)
3. Allows Crossing Over of chromosome segments:
It is the interchange of chromatid segments between
paired homologus chromosomes which redistributes
genetic material.
4. It enhances genetic variability through cross over and
segregation.
 It is the cell division that
takes place in the germ cells
to produce male & female
gametes.
 It consists of two cell
divisions, meiosis I &
meiosis II during which the
Diploid number of the
chromosomes (46) is reduced
to Haploid number (23).
 2nd meiotic division is similar
to mitosis except the
chromosome number
entering the division is
haploid
 AIM: Formation of sperms
with haploid number of
chromosomes.
 SITE: Seminiferous tubules
of the testis.
 TIME: From puberty till
old age.
 DURATION: About two
months
 REGULATION: by LH
production by the pituitary
gland.
 Sperms are stored and
become functionally
mature in the Epididymis.
 Each daughter
Spermatogonia grows
to give primary
spermatocyte (46).
 Primary spermatocyte
undergoes meiotic
division to give
2 secondary
spermatocyte (22+ x)
or (22+y).
 Each secondary
spermatocyte divides
& redivides mitotically
to give spermatid
(23).
 It is change in shape
(metamorphosis) through
which the Spermatids are
transformed into
spermatozoa
1. Nucleus is condensed
and forms most of the
head.
2. Golgi apparatus forms
the Acrosome.
3. Mitochondria forms a
spiral sheath.
4. Centriole elongates to
form the axial filament.
 Time= 74 days
 Approx 300 million
sperm cells are produced
daily.
Sperm transportation
Reflex ejaculation of semen can be divided into
Emission
Ejaculation
The sperms are rapidly transported from the
epididymis to the urethra by peristaltic contraction of
thick muscular coat of ductus deferens
When entered in uterine tubes prostaglandins helps
to stimulate uterine motility and help sperm to the
site of fertilization
Ductus
deferens

Epididymis
Maturation of sperm
Freshly ejaculated sperms are unable to fertilize an
oocyte
Capacitation: period of conditioning lasting approx 7
hrs, during this a glycoprotein coat and seminal
proteins are removed from surface of sperm acrosome
Capacitated sperms : more active
Takes place in uterus or uterine tubes
Acrosomal reaction occurs
Tyrosine kinase : regulation of capacitation and
acrosomal reaction
Summary
 Gametogenesis is the production of mature male & female gametes
(Sperms & Ova).
 Spermatogenesis: It is the series of changes by which the primitive
germ cells (spermatogonia) are transformed into mature sperms.
 Sperms are produced in the testes and stored in epididymis.
 Spermiogenesis is change in shape through which the Spermatids are
transformed into spermatozoa.
 At the beginning of meiosis I, (prophase) germ cells replicate their
DNA so that each of the 46 chromosomes is duplicated into sister
Chromatids.
 At completion of division, chromosomes in each of the four daughter
cells are different from each other.
 Sperm transport and capacitation