spermatogenesis

[spur-mat-uh-jen-uh-sis, spur-muh-tuh-] /spɜrˌmæt əˈdʒɛn ə sɪs, ˌspɜr mə tə-/

Word Origin

noun, Biology.

the origin and development of spermatozoa.

Origin of spermatogenesis

1880-1885

From New Latin, dating back to 1880-85; See origin at spermato-, -genesis

Related forms

spermatogenetic

[spur-muh-toh-juh-net-ik, sper-mat-oh-] /ˌspɜr mə toʊ dʒəˈnɛt ɪk, spərˌmæt oʊ-/ (Show IPA), adjective

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2017.
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Examples from the Web for spermatogenesis

Historical Examples

spermatogenesis of Caloptenus femur-rubrum and Cicada tibicen.

Studies in Spermatogenesis (Part 1 of 2) Nettie Maria Stevens

British Dictionary definitions for spermatogenesis

spermatogenesis

/ˌspɜːmətəʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/

noun

the formation and maturation of spermatozoa in the testis See also spermatocyte (sense 1)

Derived Forms

spermatogenetic (ˌspɜːmətəʊdʒəˈnɛtɪk) adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word Origin and History for spermatogenesis

1877, earlier in German, from comb. form of Greek sperma (see sperm) + genesis.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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spermatogenesis in Medicine

spermatogenesis sper·mat·o·gen·e·sis (spər-māt'ə-jěn'ĭ-sĭs, spûr'mə-tə-)
n.
Formation and development of spermatozoa by meiosis and spermiogenesis. Also called spermatocytogenesis.

sper·mat'o·ge·net'ic (-jə-nět'ĭk) or sper·mat'o·gen'ic (-jěn'ĭk) adj.

spermatogenesis in Science

spermatogenesis

(spər-māt'ə-jěn'ĭ-sĭs, spûr'mə-tə-)
The formation and development of spermatozoa. Spermatogenesis in humans begins with the spermatogonium, the diploid cell that undergoes mitosis to form new spermatogonia as well as cells called primary spermatocytes. Each primary spermatocyte then undergoes the first meiotic division to produce two secondary spermatocytes. Each secondary spermatocyte undergoes the second meiotic division to produce two nonmotile cells called spermatids. The four spermatids then develop flagella and become sperm. Since some of the original spermatogonia replace themselves, the males are able to produce large numbers of sperm continuously after sexual maturity.

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