VGO 511: Veterinary Andrology and Reproductive Techniques (1+1)

INTRODUCTION

Spermatogenesis is a complex process of cell division and differentiation resulting in the formation of spermatozoa.

• Spermatozoa are formed in the seminiferous tubules of the testes, by a series of cell divisions followed by a metamorphosis, produces a highly differentiated and potentially motile cell, the spermatozoa.
• Spermatogenesis can be divided into two phases
  • Spermatocytogenesis
  • Spermiogenesis.
• Spermatocytogenesis is the proliferative stage in which primitive germ cells are multiplied by a series of mitotic divisions followed by the meiotic divisions which produce the haploid stage spermatid.
• Spermiogenesis is the differentiative phase in which the nucleus and cytoplasm of spermatid undergo morphologic changes to form the sperm cells. Metamorphosis of spermatid into spermatozoa, is called as spermiogenesis.