spermatocyte

Template:Male
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, where the sperm become motile. After capacitation in the female reproductive tract, sperm are capable of fertilization.

Additional images

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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