DEVELOPMENTAL

BIOLOGY
Lecture II: SPERMATOGENESIS

SPERMATOGENESIS

According to Hess
et al., 2008

Spermatogenesis is
the transformation
of spermatogonial
cells into
spermatozoa over
an extended period
of time within the
seminiferous
tubule boundaries
of the testis.

SPERM: DISCOVERY

Anton van Leeuwenhoek and

Nicolas Hartsoeker

First to discover the sperm, and believe

that these are parasitic animals

Leeuwenhoek also wrote that sperm

were seeds, and that the female merely
provide the nutrient soil in which seeds
are planted

Hartsoeker drew the homunculus, sperm

contained the entire embryonic organism

SPERM: DISCOVERY

J.L Prevost and J.B. Dumas

claimed

that sperm were not

parasites, but rather the
active agents of fertilization.

They

proposed that the

sperm entered the egg and
contributed materially to
the next generation.

SPERM: DISCOVERY

Oscar Hertwig and Herman

Fol
In

1876, independently
demonstrated sperm entry
into the egg and the union of
two cells nuclei

Hertwig

repeatedly observed
sperm entering the eggs and
noted that only one sperm
can enter each egg

SPERM: DISCOVERY

A. Von Kolliker
Described

the formation of
sperm formation from cells
in the adult testes

Believed

that sperm excited

the egg to develop

SPERM: STRUCTURE

Each sperm cell consists of a haploid nucleus, a

propulsion system to move the nucleus, and a sac of
enzymes that enable the nucleus to enter the egg.

Acrosome
Derived

from the
cells Golgi
apparatus and
contains enzymes
that digest proteins
and complex sugars

SPERM:
STRUCTURE

The core of the

axoneme consist of 2
central microtubules
surrounded by a row of
9 doublet microtubules

SPERM:
STRUCTURE

Only one microtubule of

each doublet is complete,
having 13 protofilaments;
the other is C-shaped and
has only 11 protofilaments

Profilam
ents ar
made of
dimeric
protein
tubulin

SPERM:
STRUCTURE

Although tubulin is the basis for the structure of the

flagellum, other proteins are also critical for
flagellar function. The force for sperm propulsion is
provided by dynein, a protein attached to the
microtubules

SPERM: STRUCTURE

Dynein is an ATPase, an enzyme that hydrolyzes ATP,

converting the released chemical energy into mechanical
energy to propel the sperm.

This energy allows the active sliding of the outer doublet

microtubules, causing the flagellum to bend (Ogawa et al.
1977; Shinyoji et al.1998).

The "9 + 2" microtubule arrangement with dynein arms has

been conserved in axonemes throughout the eukaryotic
kingdoms, suggesting that this arrangement is extremely
well suited for transmitting energy for movement.

The ATP needed to whip the flagellum and propel the sperm
comes from rings of mitochondria located in the midpiece of
the sperm.

SPERMATOGENESIS

SPERMIOGENESIS
The centriole produces a long flagella
at what will be the posterior end of
the sperm, and the golgi apparatus
forms the acrosomal vesicle at the
future anterior end.
The mitocondria collect around the
flagellum near the base of the haploid
nucleus and become incorporated into
the midiece of the sperm.

HORMONAL FUNCTION AND CELLS

INVOLVED IN TESTICULAR FUNCTION

SERTOLI OR SUSTENTACULAR
CELL

Sertoli cells are supporting cells

that stretch from the lumen to
the edge of the tubule

nourish the developing sperm

form a blood-testis barrier to

control spermatogenesis (similar
to the blood-brain barrier)

These cells also inhibit

spermatogenesis before puberty
and stimulate the process after
puberty.

It is activated by folliclestimulating hormone and has FSHreceptor on its membranes.

Sertoli-Sertoli junctions divide

seminiferous tubules into basal
and adluminal compartments

the Sertoli cell has also been

called the "mother" or "nurse" cell.

Sertoli cells also act as

phagocytes, consuming the
residual cytoplasm during
spermatogenesis.

LEYDIG OR INTERSTITAL CELLS

Leydig cells, also known as

interstitial cells of Leydig

found adjacent to the

seminiferous tubules in the
testicle

They produce testosterone in the

presence of luteinizing hormone
(LH).

Leydig cells release a class of

hormones called androgens

HORMONES
FollicleStimulating
Hormone

Luteinizing
Hormone
stimulates Leydig
cells to produce
testosterone in
the testes

stimulates Sertoli
cells to produce
androgen-binding
protein (ABP),
thereby
stimulating
spermatogenesis

SH also stimulates
Sertoli cells to
produce inhibin,
which provides
negative feedback
to the anterior
pituitary to
decrease FSH
secretion

GnRH

gonadotropin-releasing
hormone
Secreted by hypothalamus
Stimulates secretion of anterior
pituitary secretion hormones
(FSH/LH

Testostero
ne

Secreted by cells of Leydig (Interstitial

cells of seminiferous tubules)
Exert negative feedback on
hypothalamic and ant. pituitary
hormones
Stimulates spermatogenesis by binding
to ABP and development of secondary
sex characteristics

FOLLICLE STIMULATING
HORMONE
is a hormone found in humans and other
animals.
It is synthesized and secreted by
gonadotrophs of the anterior pituitary
gland.
FSH regulates the development, growth,
pubertal maturation, and reproductive
processes of the body.
FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) act
synergistically in reproduction.

LUTEINIZING HORMONE
also known as lutropin and sometimes
lutrophin
is a hormone produced by gonadotroph cells
in the anterior pituitary gland.
In females, an acute rise of LH ("LH surge")
triggers ovulation and development of the
corpus luteum.
In males, where LH had also been called
interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH),
it stimulates Leydig cell production of
testosterone.
It acts synergistically with FSH.

NON-HORMONAL FACTORS
Temperature
The optimal temperature for
spermatogenesis is 34-35 C.
Diet
Diet must contain vitamin A,
B12, folic acid and vitamin C and
E which is essential for
spermatogenesis.