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.

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spermatogenesis British  

/ ˌspɜːmətəʊdʒəˈnɛtɪk, ˌspɜːmətəʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs /

noun

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

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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.

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Other Word Forms

• spermatogenetic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of spermatogenesis

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

Example Sentences

Spermatogenesis is the process of formation of four sperm in the testes in males.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Spermatogenesis is the process of formation of four sperm in the testes in males.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Spermatogenesis, the process which takes place in men's testes to produce sperm, is an altogether less predictable process and is not so much controlled by hormones as by enzymes.

From New York Times • Jul. 19, 2016

Spermatogenesis is also a lengthy, complicated process, with many opportunities for errors.

From Slate • Dec. 5, 2012

Spermatogenesis is well under way by mid-June; at this time, two or three distinct layers of primary and secondary spermatocytes are present and these cells outnumber the Sertoli cells.

From Natural History of the Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata Agassiz by Legler, John M.