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Spermatogenesis corresponds to the process of creating sperm, which are the male structures responsible for egg fertilization. This process usually starts around the age of 13, being continued throughout the life of the man and decreasing in old age.
Spermatogenesis is a process highly regulated by hormones, such as testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This process happens daily, producing thousands of sperm every day, which are stored in the epididymis after its production in the testis.
Main stages of spermatogenesis
Spermatogenesis is a complex process that lasts between 60 and 80 days and can be didactically divided into a few steps:
1. Germinative phase
The germinative phase is the first phase of spermatogenesis and happens when the germ cells of the embryonic period go to the testicles, where they remain inactive and immature, and are called spermatogonia.
When the boy reaches puberty, sperm, under the influence of hormones and Sertoli cells, which are inside the testis, develop more intensely through cell divisions (mitosis) and give rise to primary spermatocytes.
2. Growth phase
The primary spermatocytes formed in the germinative phase increase in size and undergo a process of meiosis, so that their genetic material is duplicated, becoming known as secondary spermatocytes.
3. Maturation stage
After formation of the secondary spermatocyte, the maturation process takes place to give rise to the spermatoid through the meiotic division.
4. Differentiation phase
Corresponds to the period of transformation of the sperm into sperm, which lasts approximately 21 days. During the differentiation phase, which can also be called spermiogenesis, two important structures are formed:
- Acrosome: it is a structure present in the head of the sperm that contains several enzymes and that allow the sperm to penetrate the woman's egg;
- Flagellum: structure that allows sperm mobility.
Despite having a flagellum, the formed sperm do not really have motility until they cross the epididymis, acquiring motility and fertilization capacity between 18 and 24 hours.
How spermatogenesis is regulated
Spermatogenesis is regulated by several hormones that not only favor the development of male sexual organs, but also the production of sperm. One of the main hormones is testosterone, which is a hormone produced by Leydig cells, which are cells present in the testis.
In addition to testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are also very important for sperm production, as they stimulate Leydig cells to produce testosterone and Sertoli cells, so that there is a transformation of spermatozoa in spermatozoa.
Understand how hormonal regulation of the male reproductive system works.