GAMETOGENESIS

•Spermatogenesis
•Oogenesis
ANA 213 IDOWU OLUMAYOWA IDOL
Gametogenesis
• The development and production of the male and female germ
cells required to form a new individual.

• The male and female germ cells

are called gametes.
• The gametes in human males
are produced by the testes.
• Gametes in human females are
produced by the ovaries.
Spermatogenesis
• The production of sperm from the primordial germ cells (PGCs).

• This involves 3 key processes:

- Spermatocytogenesis
- Spermatidogenesis
- Spermiogenesis
Spermatocytogenesis
• PGCs divide to produce the
spermatogonia

• Spermatogonia are transformed

into primary spermatocytes
(largest germ cells in the
seminiferous tubules)
Spermatidogenesis
• Each primary spermatocytes undergoes first
meiotic division to form two haploid secondary
spermatocytes (half the size of primary
spermatocytes)

• Secondary spermatocytes then divide (second

meiotic division) to form four haploid
spermatids (half the size of secondary
spermatocytes)
Spermiogenesis
• The spermatids (cells in a late stage of
development of sperms) are gradually
transformed into mature sperms by a
process known as spermiogenesis
(spermateliosis)

• The entire process of spermatogenesis

takes about 60 - 64 days
Cells of Spermatogenesis process
• Spermatogonium: are the first cells of
spermatogenesis

• There are 3 subtypes of spermatogonia:

- Type A (dark) cells, with dark nuclei which
do not usually undergo active mitosis.
- Type A (pale) cells, with pale nuclei, they
undergo active mitosis These cells divide to
produce Type B cells
- Type B cells, which divide to give rise to
primary spermatocytes
• Primary spermatocytes: They appear larger than spermatogonia.
They immediately enter the prophase of the first meiotic division,
which is extremely prolonged

• Secondary spermatocytes: smaller than primary spermatocytes.

They rapidly enter and complete the second meiotic division

• Spermatids: formed from the division of secondary

spermatocytes. They are small with an initially very light (often
eccentric) nucleus

• Spermatozoa: The mature human spermatozoon is about 60 µm

long and actively motile. It is divided into head, neck and tail
The Testicles
• Functions for the production of the male gametes
(spermatozoa) and male sexual hormone (testosterone).
• Tunica albuginea: a thick capsule
surround the testes , from which a
conical mass of connective tissue,
the mediastinum testis, projects
into the testis.

• Serosa: connective tissue that covers

the tunica albuginea externally.
The Convoluted Seminiferous Tubules
• These tubules are surrounded by 3-4 layers of smooth
muscle cells The insides of the tubules are lined with
seminiferous epithelium, which consists of two general
types of cells:

- Spermatogonia

- Sertoli cells
The Sertoli cells

• Sertoli cells are the somatic cells of

the testis that are essential for testis
formation and spermatogenesis.
• They facilitate the progression of germ
cells to spermatozoa via direct contact
and by controlling the environment
milieu within the seminiferous tubules.
ASSIGNMENT:
• Describe with an annotated diagram the seminiferous
epithelium
• Differentiate between pre-pubertal and pubertal testes
• Describe the roles of the following hormones in the
ovarian/menstrual cycle (a) FSH, (b) LH, (c) Estrogen,
(d) Progesterone
Oogenesis
• Oogenesis is the sequence of events
by which oogonia are transformed
into mature oocytes (ova)

• This occurs in 2 major phases:

- Prenatal maturation
- Postnatal maturation
Prenatal maturation
• PGCs differentiate into the oogonia

• Oogonia divide by mitosis and enlarge to form primary

oocytes

• As the primary oocytes form, a single layer of flattened

follicular cells surround them, the primary oocytes then
enter first meiotic division to become primordial follicle
• The follicular cells surrounding the primary oocytes secrete a
substance, oocyte maturation inhibitor, which keeps the meiotic
process of the oocyte arrested

Postnatal maturation
• The primary oocytes remain dormant in ovarian follicles until
puberty

• As a follicle matures, the primary oocyte increases in size, and

shortly before ovulation, it completes the first meiotic division to
give rise to a secondary oocyte (receives most of the cytoplasmic
material) and the first polar body (receives almost none)
• At ovulation, the nucleus of the
secondary oocyte begins the second
meiotic division, but it progresses only
to metaphase, when division is arrested

• If a sperm penetrates the secondary

oocyte, the second meiotic division is
completed, and most cytoplasm is again
retained by one cell (the fertilized
oocyte)

• The other cell (second polar body), is

also formed and will degenerate
Cells of Oogenesis process

• Primordial follicle: are located in the cortex, one layer of flattened

follicular cells surround the oocyte

• Primary follicle: is the first morphological stage that marks the

onset of follicular maturation, flattened cell surrounding the oocyte
form a cuboidal or columnar epithelium surrounding the oocyte
• Secondary follicle: Small fluid-filled spaces become visible between
granulosa cells as the follicle reaches a diameter of about 400 µm
• The mature or tertiary or Graafian follicle: the follicle increases
further in size
• The stigma: The Graafian follicle forms a small "bump" on the
surface of the ovary
• Ovarian Follicles: They are consist of one oocyte and surrounding
follicular cells
Female Reproductive System
Female Reproductive System
• The Structure of the Ovary
- Outer cortex : consists of a very cellular connective tissue stroma
where ovarian follicles are embedded
- Inner medulla: it is composed of loose connective tissue, which
contains blood vessels and nerves

• Functions:
- Production and ovulation of oocytes
- Production and secretion of hormones
The Oviduct
• The oviduct functions as a conduit for the oocyte, from the ovaries
to the uterus
• Histologically, the oviduct consists of a mucosa and a muscularis

- The mucosa: is formed by a ciliated and secretory epithelium resting

on a very cellular lamina. Some of the secreted substances are
thought to nourish the oocyte and the very early embryo

- The muscularis: consists of an inner circular muscle layer and an

outer longitudinal layer. muscle action seems to be more important
for the transport of sperm and oocyte than the action of the cilia
The Uterus
• Uterus is divided into body and cervix. The walls of the uterus are
composed of a mucosal layer, the endometrium, and a fibromuscular
layer, the myometrium. The peritoneal surface of the uterus is
covered by a serosa

- Myometrium: The muscle fibres of the uterus form layers with

preferred orientations of fibres. The muscular tissue hypertrophies
during pregnancy

- Endometrium: The endometrium consists of a simple columnar

epithelium (ciliated cells and secretory cells) and an underlying thick
connective tissue stroma
The endometrium
• Can be divided into two zones based on their involvement in the
changes during the menstrual cycle: the basalis and the
functionalis

- The basalis is not sloughed off (appealed) during menstruation but

functions as a regenerative zone for the functionalis after its rejection

- The functionalis is the luminal part of the endometrium. It is

sloughed off during every menstruation and it is the site of cyclic
changes in the endometrium