Not to be confused with Gametocytogenesis .

Gametogenesis is a biological process by which diploid or haploid precursor cells

undergo cell division and differentiation to form mature haploid gametes . Depending
on thebiological life cycle of the organism , gametogenesis occurs by meiotic
division of diploid gametocytes into various gametes, or by mitotic division of
haploid gametogenous cells. For example, plants produce gametes through mitosis in
gametophytes. The gametophytes grow from haploid spores after sporic meiosis. The
existence of a multicellular, haploid phase in the life cycle between meiosis and
gametogenesis is also referred to as alternation of generations .

Contents

[hide ]

1 In animals
1.1 Stages

1 1.1.1 Common path

2 1.1.2 Individual path
2 In gametangia
3 In flowering plants
4 See also
5 Notes

In animals[edit ]

Scheme showing
analogies in the
process of
maturation of the
ovum and the
development of the
spermatids,
following their individual pathways. The oocytes and spermatocytes are both
gametocytes. Ova and spermatids are complete gametes. In reality, the first polar body
typically dies without dividing.

Animals produce gametes directly through meiosis in organs called gonads (testicle in
males and ovary in females). Males and females of a species that reproduces
sexually have different forms of gametogenesis

spermatogenesis (male)
oogenesis (female)

Stages[edit ]
However, before turning into gametogonia, the embryonic development of gametes is the
same in males and females.
Common path[edit ]
Gametogonia are usually seen as the initial stage of gametogenesis. However,
gametogonia are themselves successors of primordial germ cells . During early
embryonic development, primordial germ cells (PGCs) from the dorsal endoderm of the
yolk sac migrate along the hindgut to the gonadal ridge . They multiply by mitosis ,
and, once they have reached the gonadal ridge in the late embryonic stage, are referred to
as gametogonia. Once the germ cells have developed into gametogonia, they are no
longer the same between males and females.
Individual path[edit ]
From gametogonia, male and female gametes develop differently - males by
spermatogenesis and females by oogenesis. However, by convention, the following
pattern is common for both:

DNA copy
ploidy /chromoso
Cell type number/chromatids in Process
mes in humans
human[Note 1]
2C before replication,
gametocytogenesis
gametogonium diploid (2N)/46 4C after / 46 before, 46
(mitosis)
X 2 after
2C before replication,
primary gametidogenesis
diploid (2N)/46 4C after / 46 before, 46
gametocyte (meiosis 1)
X 2 after
secondary gametidogenesis
haploid (1N)/23 2C / 46
gametocyte (meiosis 2)
gametid haploid (1N)/23 1C / 23
gamete haploid (1N)/23 1C / 23

In gametangia[edit ]
Fungi, algae, and primitive plants form specialized haploid structures called gametangia ,
where gametes are produced through mitosis. In some fungi, such as the Zygomycota ,
the gametangia are single cells, situated on the ends of hyphae , which act as gametes by
fusing into a zygote . More typically, gametangia are multicellular structures that
differentiate into male and female organs:

antheridium (male)
archegonium (female)

In flowering plants[edit ]
In flowering plants, the male gamete is produced inside the pollen grain through the
division of a generative cell into two sperm nuclei. Depending on the species, this can
occur while the pollen forms in the anther or after pollination and growth of the pollen
tube . The female gamete is produced inside the embryo sac of the ovule .
Spermatogenesis and oogenesis are both forms of gametogenesis, in which a diploid
gamete cell produces haploid sperm and egg cells, respectively.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE[ EDIT ]

Distinguish between spermatogenesis and oogenesis

KEY POINTS[ EDIT ]

Gametogenesis, the production of sperm (spermatogenesis) and eggs

(oogenesis), takes place through the process of meiosis.
In oogenesis, diploid oogonium go through mitosis until one develops into a
primary oocyte, which will begin the first meiotic division, but then arrest; it will finish
this division as it develops in the follicle, giving rise to a haploid secondary oocyte and
a smaller polar body.
The secondary oocyte begins the second meiotic division and then arrests again;
it will not finish this division unless it is fertilized by a sperm; if this occurs, a mature
ovum and another polar body is produced.
In spermatogenesis, diploid spermatogonia go through mitosis until they begin to
develop into gametes; eventually, one develops into a primary spermatocyte that will
go through the first meiotic division to form two haploid secondary spermatocytes.
The secondary spermatocytes will go through a second meiotic division to each
produce two spermatids; these cells will eventually develop flagella and become
mature sperm.
TERMS[ EDIT ]

mitosis
the division of a cell nucleus in which the genome is copied and separated into two
identical halves. It is normally followed by cell division
oocyte
a cell that develops into an egg or ovum; a female gametocyte
spermatocyte
a male gametocyte, from which a spermatozoon develops
polar body
one of the small cells that are by-products of the meiosis that forms an egg
meiosis
cell division of a diploid cell into four haploid cells, which develop to produce gametes
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FULL TEXT[ EDIT ]

Gametogenesis (Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis)

Gametogenesis, the production of sperm and eggs, takes place through the process of
meiosis. During meiosis, two cell divisions separate the paired chromosomes in the
nucleus and then separate the chromatids that were made during an earlier stage of the
cell's life cycle, resulting in gametes that each contain half the number of chromosomes
as the parent. The production of sperm is called spermatogenesis and the production of
eggs is called oogenesis.

Oogenesis

Oogenesis occurs in the outermost layers of the ovaries. As with sperm production,
oogenesis starts with a germ cell, called an oogonium (plural: oogonia), but this cell
undergoes mitosis to increase in number, eventually resulting in up to one to two million
cells in the embryo .
 Oogenesis

The process
of oogenesis
occurs in the
ovary's
outermost
layer. A
primary
oocyte
begins the
first meiotic
division, but
then arrests
until later in
life when it
will finish this division in a developing follicle. This results in a secondary
oocyte, which will complete meiosis if it is fertilized.

The cell starting meiosis is called a primary oocyte. This cell will begin the first meiotic
division, but be arrested in its progress in the first prophase stage. At the time of birth, all
future eggs are in the prophase stage. At adolescence, anterior pituitary hormonescause
the development of a number of follicles in an ovary. This results in the primary oocyte
finishing the first meiotic division. The cell divides unequally, with most of the cellular
material and organelles going to one cell, called a secondary oocyte, and only one set of
chromosomes and a small amount of cytoplasm going to the other cell. This second cell is
called a polar body and usually dies. A secondary meiotic arrest occurs, this time at the
metaphase II stage. At ovulation, this secondary oocyte will be released and travel toward
the uterus through the oviduct. If the secondary oocyte is fertilized, the cell continues
through the meiosis II, completing meiosis, producing a second polar body and a
fertilized egg containing all 46 chromosomes of a human being, half of them coming
from the sperm.

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis occurs in the wall of the seminiferous tubules , with stem cells at the
periphery of the tube and the spermatozoa at the lumen of the tube. Immediately under
the capsule of the tubule are diploid, undifferentiated cells. These stem cells, called
spermatogonia (singular: spermatagonium), go through mitosis with one offspring going
on to differentiate into a sperm cell, while the other gives rise to the next generation of
sperm.

Spermatog
enesis

During

spermatogenesis, four sperm result from each primary spermatocyte, which

divides into two haploid secondary spermatocytes; these cells will go
through a second meiotic division to produce four spermatids.

Meiosis begins with a cell called a primary spermatocyte. At the end of the first meiotic
division, a haploid cell is produced called a secondary spermatocyte. This haploid cell
must go through another meiotic cell division. The cell produced at the end of meiosis is
called a spermatid. When it reaches the lumen of the tubule and grows a flagellum(or
"tail"), it is called a sperm cell. Four sperm result from each primary spermatocyte that
goes through meiosis.

Stem cells are deposited during gestation and are present at birth through the beginning of
adolescence, but in an inactive state. During adolescence, gonadotropic hormones from
the anterior pituitary cause the activation of these cells and the production of viable
sperm. This continues into old age
Source: Boundless. Gametogenesis (Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis). Boundless
Biology. Boundless, 21 Jul. 2015. Retrieved 17 Sep. 2015 from
https://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundless-biology-textbook/animal-
reproduction-and-development-43/human-reproductive-anatomy-and-gametogenesis-
239/gametogenesis-spermatogenesis-and-oogenesis-891-12142/

Read this article to learn about the spermatogenesis and oogenesis the gametogenesis

process in human being!

Gametogenesis is the process by which male and female sex cells or gametes, i.e., sperms

and ova are formed respectively in the male and female gonads (testes and ovaries). The

gametes differ from all other cells (= somatic cells) of the body in that their nuclei

contain only half the number of chromosomes found in the nuclei of somatic cells.

Image Courtesy : img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/125033219.png

Meiosis forms the most significant part of process of gametogenesis. Gametogenesis for

the formation of sperms is termed spermatogenesis, while that of ova is called oogenesis.

Both spermatogenesis and oogenesis comprise similar phases of sequential changes viz.,

(i) multiplication phase,

(ii) growth phase and

(iii) maturation phase.

Spermatogenesis:

The process of formation of sperms is called spermatogenesis. It occurs in the semi-

niferous tubules of the testes. The seminiferous tubules are lined by germinal epithelium.

The germinal epithelium consists largely of cuboidal primary or primordial germ cells

(PGCs) and contains certain tall somatic cells called Sertoli cells (= nurse cells).

Spermatogenesis includes formation of spermatids and formation of spermatozoa.

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(i)

Formation of Spermatids:

It includes the following phases.

(a) Multiplication Phase:

At sexual maturity, the undifferentiated primordial germ cells divide several times by

mitosis to produce a large number of spermatogonia (Gr. sperma = seeds, gonos-

generation). Spermatogonia (2N) are of two types: type A spermatogonia and type

spermatogonia. Type A spermatogonia serve as the stem cells which divide to form

additional spermatogonia. Type spermatogonia are the precursors of sperms.

(b) Growth Phase:

Each type spermatogonium actively grows to a larger primary spermatocyte by

obtaining nourishment from the nursing cells.

(c) Maturation Phase:

Each primary spermatocyte undergoes two successive divisions, called maturation

divisions. The first maturation division is reductional or meiotic. Hence, the primary

spermatocyte divides into two haploid daughter cells called secondary spermatocytes.

Both secondary spermatocytes now undergo second maturation division which is an

ordinary mitotic division to form, four haploid spermatids, by each primary spermatocyte.

(ii) Formation of Spermatozoa from Spermatids (Spermatogenesis):

The transformation of spermatids into spermatozoa is called spermiogenesis or

spermateliosis. The spermatozoa are later on known as sperms. Thus four sperms are

formed from one spermatogonium. After spermiogenesis sperm heads become embedded

in the Sertoli cells and are finally released from the seminiferous tubules by the process

called spermiation.

Hormonal Control of Spermatogenesis:

Spermatogenesis is initiated due to increase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

by the hypothalamus. GnRH acts on the anterior lobe of pituitary gland to secrete

luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). LH acts on the
Leydigs cells of the testes to secrete testosterone.

FSH acts on Sertoli cells of the seminiferous tubules of the testes to secrete an androgen

binding protein (ABP) and inhibin. ABP concentrates testosterone in the seminiferous

tubules. Inhibin suppresses FSH synthesis. FSH acts on spermatogonia to stimulate sperm

production.

Significance of Spermatogenesis:

(i) During spermatogenesis, one spermatogonium produces four sperms, (ii) Sperms have

half the number of chromosomes. After fertilization, the diploid chromosome number is

restored in the zygote. It maintains the chromosome number of the species, (iii) During

meiosis I crossing over takes place which brings about variation, (iv) Spermatogenesis

occurs in various organisms. Thus it supports the evidence of the basic relationship of the

organisms.

Spermatozoon (Sperm; Fig. 3.17):

The sperms are microscopic and motile cells. Sperms remain alive and retain their ability

to fertilize an ovum (egg) from 24 to 48 hours after having been released in the female

genital tract. A typical mammalian sperm consists of a head, neck, middle piece and tail.

(i) Head:

It contains anterior small acrosome and posterior large nucleus. Acrosome is formed from

Golgi body of the spermatid. Acrosome contains hyaluronidase proteolytic enzymes

which are popularly known as spermlysins that are used to contact and penetrate the egg

(ovum) at the time of fertilization.

(ii) Neck:

It is very short and is present between the head and middle piece. It contains the proximal

centriole towards the nucleus which plays a role in the first cleavage of the zygote and the
distal centriole which gives rise to the axial filament of the sperm.

(iii) Middle piece:

The middle piece of human sperm contains the mitochondria coiled round the axial

filament called mitochondrial spiral. They provide energy for the movement of the sperm.

So it is the power house of the sperm. At the end of the middle piece there is a ring

centriole (annulus) with unknown function. Posterior half of nucleus, neck and middle

piece of sperm are covered by a sheath called manchette.

(iv) Tail:

The tail is several times longer than the head. In its most part called main piece, the axial

filament is surrounded by a thin layer of cytoplasm. The part behind the mainpiece is

called end piece which consists of naked filament alone. The sperm swims about by its

tail in a fluid medium.

Oogenesis (Fig. 3.18)

The process of

formation of a mature
female gamete (ovum) is

called oogenesis. It

occurs in the ovaries

(female gonads). It

consists of three phases:

multiplication, growth

and maturation.

(a) Multiplication phase:

In the foetal development, certain cells in the germinal epithelium of the ovary of the

foetus are larger than others. These cells divide by mitosis, producing a couple of million

egg mother cells or oogonia in each ovary of the foetus. No more oogonia are formed or

added after birth. The oogonia multiply by mitotic divisions forming the primary oocytes.

(b) Growth phase:

This phase of the primary oocyte is very long. It may extend over many years. The

oogonium grows into a large primary oocytes. Each primary oocyte then gets surrounded

by a layer of granulosa cells to form primary follicle. A large number of these follicles

degenerate during the period from birth to puberty. So at puberty only 60,000- 80,000

primary follicles are left in each ovary. The fluid filled cavity of the follicle is called

antrum.

(c) Maturation phase:

Like a primary spermatocyte, each primary oocyte undergoes two maturation divisions,

first meiotic and the second meiotic. The results of maturation divisions in oogenesis are,

however, very different from those in spermatogenesis. In the first, meiotic division, the

primary oocyte divides into two very unequal haploid daughter cells a large secondary

oocyte and a very small first polar body or polocyte.

In the second maturation division, the first polar body may divide to form two second

polar bodies. The secondary oocyte again divides into unequal daughter cells, a large

ootid and a very small second polar body. The ootid grows into a functional haploid

ovum. Thus from one oogonium, one ovum and three polar bodies are formed. The ovum,

is the actual female gamete. The polar bodies take no part in reproduction and, hence,

soon degenerate.

In human beings, ovum is released from the ovary in the secondary oocyte stage. The

maturation of secondary oocyte is completed in the mothers oviduct (Fallopian tube)

usually after the sperm has entered the secondary oocyte for fertilization.

In

humans

(and most

vertebrates), the first polar body does not undergo meiosis II, whereas the secondary

oocyte proceeds as far as the metaphase stage of meiosis II. However, it then stops

advancing any further; it awaits the arrival of sperm for completion of meiosis II.

Entry of the sperm restarts the cell cycle breaking down MPF (M-phase promoting factor)

and turning on APC (Anaphase promoting complex). Completion of meiosis II converts

the secondary oocyte into a fertilized ovum (egg) or zygote (and also a second polar

body).

Hormonal Control of Oogenesis:

GnRH secreted by the hypothalamus stimulates the anterior lobe of pituitary gland to

secrete LH and FSH. FSH stimulates the growth of Graafian follicles and also the

development of egg/oocyte within the follicle to complete the meiosis I to form

secondary oocyte. FSH also stimulates the formation of oestrogens.

LH induces the rupture of the mature Graafian follicle and thereby the release of
secondary oocyte. Thus LH causes ovulation. In brief ovulation in human beings may be

defined as the release of the secondary oocyte from the Graafian follicle. The remaining

part of the Graafian follicle is stimulated by LH to develop into corpus luteum (yellow

body). The rising level of progesterone inhibits the release of GnRH, which in turn,

inhibits production of FSH, LH and progesterone.

Significance of Oogenesis:

(i) One oogonium produces one ovum and three polar bodies.

(ii) Polar bodies have small amount of cytoplasm. It helps to retain sufficient amount of

cytoplasm in the ovum which is essential for the development of early embryo.

Formation of polar bodies maintains half number of chromosomes in the ovum.

(iii) During meiosis first crossing over takes place which brings about variation.

(iv) Oogenesis occurs in various organisms. Therefore, it supports the evidence of basic

relationship of the organisms.