spermatocyte

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Spermatocyte
Transverse section of a tubule of the testis of a rat. X 250.
Scheme showing analogies in the process of maturation of the ovum and the development of the spermatids (young spermatozoa).
Gray's	subject #258 1243
MeSH	Spermatocytes

A spermatocyte is a male gametocyte, derived from a spermatogonium, which is in the developmental stage of spermatogenesis during which meiosis occurs. It is located in the seminiferous tubules of the testis.

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the developmental process which leads to the production of male gametes, termed spermatozoa or sperm. Spermatogonial stem cells divide by mitosis to form primary spermatocytes. The primary spermatocyte is initially diploid and undergoes meiosis. After the first meiotic division, the resulting daughter cells are termed secondary spermatocytes. These undergo the second meiotic division giving rise to haploid spermatids. Spermatids mature further in a developmental process called spermiogenesis, becoming spermatozoa. Spermatozoa are characterized by an elongated shape with a compact nucleus and a flagellum. Additional maturation takes place in the epididymis, although the sperm don't become motile until the addition of fructose to the ejaculate by the seminal vesicles. After capacitation in the female reproductive tract, sperm are capable of fertilization.

Additional images

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  Histological section through testicular parenchyma of a boar. 1 Lumen of Tubulus seminiferus contortus, 2 spermatids, 3 spermatocytes, 4 spermatogonia, 5 Sertoli cell, 6 Myofibroblasts, 7 Leydig cells, 8 capillaries

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