CECILIA T.

REYES, DVM, PhD

Professor VI
Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences
SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
Aklan State University
Banga, Aklan
 GAMETOGENESIS
(The Maturation Process) refers to the changes required for the production
of functional gametes from the primordial sex cells

In the FEMALE, In the MALE,

the proliferating the proliferating
cells cells
in the gonads in the gonads
(OVARY) (TESTIS)

are known as are known as

OOGONIA, SPERMATOGONIA,
 GAMETOGENESIS
(The Maturation Process) refers to the changes required for the production
of functional gametes from the primordial sex cells

In the FEMALE, In the MALE,

once proliferation once proliferation

ceases, the cells ceases, the cells
are called are called
OOCYTES, SPERMATOCYTES,

which undergo a stage which undergo a stage

of growth and later of growth and later
into a stage of into a stage of
maturation termed maturation called
OOGENESIS SPERMATOGENESIS
 Types of Cells
• Somatic cells
– body cells
– they do not participate in the production of
gametes
– these are said to constitute the somatoplasma
• Gametogenic cells
– reproductive, germ cells or gametes
– gametes and the primordial sex cells are said
to constitute the germ plasma
SPERMATOGENESIS
 SPERMATOGENESIS

is a sequential event by which the

male undifferentiated germ cells
the spermatogonia are transformed
into mature gametes called the
spermatozoa
 SPERMATOGENESIS
Spermatogonia Spermatozoa
are all derived from mature male
the primordial germ gametes
cells that were are haploid
implanted in the a male reproductive
embryonic ridge cell gamete that has
are diploid an oval head with a
experience a nucleus, a short
constant, steady neck, and a tail by
mitosis so that there which it moves to
will be a continuous find and fertilize an
supply of new cells ovum (Microsoft® Encarta®
available for the 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft
Corporation. All rights
production of sperm reserved.)
PHASES OF SPERMATOGENESIS
• SPERMATOCYTOGENESIS
– series of cell divisions during which
spermatogonia form spermatids

• SPERMIOGENESIS
– the phase where spermatids undergo
metamorphosis to form spermatozoa
 Spermatocytogenesis
- series of cell divisions during which spermatogonia form spermatids

2n Spermatogonium
(undergo 4 mitotic divisions)

2n
(Meiosis 1, reduction division)
Primary Spermatocyte

n n Secondary Spermatocytes
(Meiosis 2, equation division)

Spermatids
n n n n (metamorphosis)
 Spermiogenesis
- the phase where spermatids undergo metamorphosis to form spermatozoa

• Formation of
acrosomal cap
(1,2,3)
• Condensation of
the nucleus (4,5)
• Outgrowth of the
flagellum (6, 7,8)
• Sheath
arrangement of the
mitochondria
(9,10)
Parts of a sperm
 HEAD
 Nucleus
 Post nuclear cap
 Acrosome

 Proximal centriole
Implantation region
Point where tail joins
the head

 TAIL
 Mid Piece, 8-10 long
 Mitochondria
 Main Piece, 40-50 long
 End Piece, 3 long
 Axial filaments
 is small bundle of tiny fibrils that starts at the proximal centriole and
runs through the entire tail
 contraction of these fibrils cause lashing of the tail which propels the
spermatozoon forward, begins at the proximal centriole, proceeds
around the perimeter of the fibrils and rhythmically down the tail

Arrangement of the fibrils at the Arrangement of the fibrils at the

MID PIECE MAIN PIECE
Seminiferous tubule
• is the site of
spermatozoa production
• made up of small,
convoluted (coiled)
tubes approximately
200 in diameter,
converging toward a
common duct, which
lead the sperm to the
exterior
• estimated from a pair of
bulls’ testes, stretched
out and laid from end to
 Cell types in the Seminiferous Tubules

• Germ cells or spermatogenic cells

– include spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa
• Nurse cells or Sertoli cells
– are larger and less numerous that nourishes the developing spermatozoa
– produces both androgen binding protein and inhibin.
• Leydig or Interstitial cells
– are found in the parenchyma of the testes between the seminiferous tubules
– luteinizing hormone stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone and small quantities of
other androgens
Sperm Morphology
OOGENESIS
 Oogenesis
2n

Oogonium

2n

Primary Oocyte
Meiosis 1
(reduction division)

n n

Secondary Oocyte 1st Polar body

Meiosis 2 (equation
division)

n n n n
Ovum 2nd Polar 3rd Polar 4th Polar
body body body
 Follicular growth
Primary Follicle

• is a germ cell
surrounded by a single
layer of follicular cells
• located in the
parenchyma and are
frequently seen in
groups called egg nests.
A young calf has approximately 7,500 follicles
Two primary follicles are seen in this but an old cow may have 2,500 potential ova.
section. The oocytes (Oo) are Some reach full maturity and are released into
surrounded by a single layer of follicular the duct system for possible fertilization. Some
become atretic and degenerate
cells at this stage (arrows)
 Follicular growth
Secondary Follicle

• is a result from
proliferation of
follicular cells
forming two or more
layers surrounding
Note the difference in the size of the
the potential ovum
antrum (A) between the early secondary
follicle (enlarged at the left) and the
mature secondary Graafian follicle as
seen above.
 Follicular growth
Tertiary Follicle

• when the atrum (cavity)

is formed by fluid
collecting between the
follicular cells and
separating them

Liquor folliculi is the fluid in

the antrum of tertiary
This section of the ovary shows the
relative size (box) of the enlarged area to
follicle which is rich in
the left as compared with the mature estrogen.
(Graafian) follicle seen in the center of
the section
 Follicular growth
Graafian Follicle
- a mature tertiary follicle, which appears as fluid-filled blister
on the surface of the ovary

• Theca externa – the outer, more

fibrous cell layer
• Theca interna – the inner layer
next to the former, involved in the
production of estrogen
• Basement membrane –
separates the theca interna from
the innermost layer and the
granulosa cells
• Granulosa cells – surround the
antrum, prevents the entry of
vascular system into these cells
• Corona radiata – is made up of
granulosa cells surrounding the
ovum
• Cumulus oophorus – is a hillock
(mound) of granulosa cells located
at one side of the antrum
 Features of a Reproductively Active Ovary

Note: The follicles do NOT actually move around the ovary as they mature.
It is drawn to show all the stages of maturation once
 Other Features of the Ovary
• Corpus Luteum – is a solid yellowish body, which
produces progesterone and other progestins. It is
formed by proliferation of the theca interna, theca
externa and granulosa cells. Granulosa cells form
the main component of the corpus luteum.
• Corpus albican – is a small white scar on the
surface of the ovary formed after the regression of
the corpus luteum
• Corpus hemorrhagicum – is a ruptured follicle
with its blood-filled cavity. As follicle ruptures,
bleeding occurs and a blood clot forms at the
ovulation site
Parts of a Typical Ovum
 Cumulus oophorus is made up
of the ovarian follicular cells that were
nurturing the egg at the time of its
release from the ovary
 Corona radiata are granulosa cells
surrounding the ovum
 Zona pellucida is outside the cell
membrane and is an extracellular
envelope that forms a fibrous mat
around the egg; it is often involved in
sperm-egg recognition
 Plasma membrane
 Perivitelline space
 Vitelline membrane

 Cortical granules contain

digestive enzymes, adhesive
glycoproteins and hyaline protein

 Nucleus of the oocyte

Parts of a typical ovum
- End -
