Spermatogenesis is the process of producing male reproductive cells with a reduced amount of genetic material and a reduced number of chromosomes by half. A similar process occurs in women and is termed oogenesis. The resulting cells can connect with each other in the process of fertilization. Spermatogenesis and oogenesis are collectively referred to as gametogenesis, i.e. the formation of female and male reproductive cells. What is the process of gametogenesis and what is the difference between spermatogenesis and oogenesis?
Contents:
- Spermatogenesis and oogenesis - similarities
- Spermatogenesis and oogenesis - differences
Gametogenesisis the process of the formation of reproductive cells (gametes). Due to the type of reproductive cells, spermatogenesis and oogenesis can be distinguished. The goal of both of these processes is to reduce the number of chromosomes as well as to exchange genetic material.
Spermatogenesisis a process that occurs in men after they reach puberty. Everything happens in the testicles, specifically in the tortuous seminal tubes. There are several layers in the walls of the coils, and the closer to the lumen of the coil, the more mature the cells are.
The first basal layer, furthest from the lumen of the coil, are spermatogoniums. The next layers are primary and secondary spermatocytes, spermatids. In the light itself there are sperm cells, i.e. mature reproductive cells.
The spermatogenesis process takes 74 days and is supervised by testosterone, luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones. Then, along with other semen constituents, the sperm passes through the straight seminal coils up to the epididymis, where they are stored.
Oogenesis , on the other hand, begins after the 15th week of prenatal life and takes place in the female gonads. However, it is finalized after the woman reaches puberty as a result of her menstrual cycle.
Spermatogenesis and oogenesis - similarities
The main similarity between spermatogenesis and oogenesis is the effect they produce. The stem cell divides initially through two mitotic and then meiotic divisions, which lead to a reduction in genetic material and a reduction in the number of chromosomes. This allows the female (egg) and male (sperm) cells to join together as wellembryo formation.
Both processes take place in the reproductive organs (in women - in the ovaries, and in men - in the testes).
Spermatogenesis and oogenesis - differences
The main difference between spermatogenesis and oogenesis is the point at which the process begins.
Spermatogenesis begins after puberty.
In women, oogenesis begins after the 15th week of fetal life.
The stem cell from which spermatogenesis begins is the spermatogonium. Spermatogenesis is a process that is continuous and cyclical.
Oogenesis begins with the oogonium, or the stem cell, and is interrupted at the stage of first-order oocyte formation. The counterpart of the first order oocyte is the second order spermatocyte.
Immature cells remain dormant until the woman reaches puberty and begins menstruation. It is then during each cycle that several cells complete the development process, completing the oogenesis process.
During ovulation, a woman releases a mature egg from the ovary. One egg travels through the fallopian tube, where it can become fertilized, that is, joined with the male sperm resulting from spermatogenesis.
The effect of oogenesis is the formation of a single egg in each menstrual cycle in which ovulation occurs.
However, as a result of spermatogenesis, several million sperm are found in the ejaculate (semen) each time.
Another difference between spermatogenesis and oogenesis is the time limit when these processes take place. Spermatogenesis may take place in a man's body until the end of his life.
The process of oogenesis finally ends as a woman enters menopause.
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Anna Jarosz A journalist who has been involved in popularizing he alth education for over 40 years. Winner of many competitions for journalists dealing with medicine and he alth. She received, among others The "Golden OTIS" Trust Award in the "Media and He alth" category, St. Kamil awarded on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick, twice the "Crystal Pen" in the national competition for journalists promoting he alth, and many awards and distinctions in competitions for the "Medical Journalist of the Year" organized by the Polish Association of Journalists for He alth.
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