Question

Define spermiogenesis and spermiation.

Answer 1

The process by way of mitosis and meiosis in which spermatozoa are produced from spermatogonial stem cells. This process starts at puberty in males which takes about 74 days in the epididymis of seminiferous tubules.

Complete step by step answer:
Spermiogenesis:
Spermatid phase of spermatogenesis is known as spermiogenesis which is divided in a different phase that is: Golgi phase, cap phase, acrosome phase and maturation phase.
During spermiogenesis following events takes places:
- Cell differentiation in which spermatids become sperm.
- Flattening of the nucleus.
- Formation of acrosomes.
- Growth of tail.
- Reorganization of mitochondria.
- Shedding of unnecessary cytoplasm.
In spermatogenesis, the gametes are called spermatids which are rounded cells. They modify to assume a specific shape of sperm. They elongate and recognize internal structure to acquire a particular shape. The changes include:
- Golgi apparatus forms acrosomal cap-proteolytic enzymes.
- Nucleus is condensed.
- Centrioles make a collar around the neck.
- Microtubules form flagellum.
- Mitochondria arranges as a spiral around the neck.
- Excess cytoplasm cast off as a residual body.
- Cytoplasmic bridges break which makes sperm release from Sertoli cells to lie free in the lumen of seminiferous tubules.
A mature sperm has a head, neck and tail. From lumen of seminiferous tubules, sperms enter the duct of epididymis. If ejaculation doesn’t occur they die and degenerate.

Spermiation:
Spermiation is the process in which mature spermatids are released from the supporting somatic sertoli cells into the lumen of the seminiferous tubule. It is an important process as a determinant of the number of sperm entering the epididymis, and thus the sperm content of the ejaculate.
Since spermiation is the final maturation step of spermatogenesis and influences final head shaping and cytoplasm removal, this process contributes to sperm morphology and thus understanding it has important implications for optimizing male fertility. As a known target for contraception and perhaps infertility, agents designed to impair or promote spermiation would be of therapeutic benefit in male fertility regulation.

Note:
- Male reproductive success ultimately depends on the ability of seminiferous epithelium tissue to produce prodigious numbers of sperm consistency.
- Stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle inspections of adult testes has been determined by light microscopy.