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spermatogenesis

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

noun

Biology.
  1. the origin and development of spermatozoa.


spermatogenesis British  
/ ˌspɜːmətəʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs /

noun

  1. the formation and maturation of spermatozoa in the testis See also spermatocyte

"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

spermatogenesis Scientific  
/ spər-măt′ə-jĕn′ĭ-sĭs,spûr′mə-tə- /
  1. 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.


Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of spermatogenesis

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


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

HSF5 is required for progression beyond the pachytene stage during spermatogenesis, guiding the meiotic program towards completion and activating genes associated with sperm formation.

From Science Daily ● May 1, 2024

To do this, sperm stem cells in the testes continuously make more of themselves, until a signal tells them it's time to turn into sperm -- a process called spermatogenesis.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 20, 2024

The Y chromosome's genes help govern crucial reproductive functions including sperm production, formally called spermatogenesis, and are even involved in cancer risk and severity.

From Reuters ● Aug. 23, 2023

Testosterone, the hormone responsible for the secondary sexual characteristics that develop in the male during adolescence, stimulates spermatogenesis.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

By the end of May, although the plumage is unchanged, the testes have diminished to the size of a haricot bean, and spermatogenesis has ceased.

From Hormones and Heredity by J. T. Cunningham

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