Spermatocyte

Spermatogenesis as the cells progress from spermatogium, to primary spermatocytes, to secondary spermatocytes, to spermatids and to sperm.

Spermatocytes are a type of male gametocyte in animals. They derive from immature germ cells called spermatogonia. They are found in the testis, in a structure known as the seminiferous tubules.[1] There are two types of spermatocytes, primary and secondary spermatocytes. Primary and secondary spermatocytes are formed through the process of spermatocytogenesis.[2]

Primary spermatocytes are diploid (2N) cells. After meiosis I, two secondary spermatocytes are formed. Secondary spermatocytes are haploid (N) cells that contain half the number of chromosomes.[1]

In all animals, males produce spermatocytes, even hermaphrodites such as C. elegans, which exist as a male or hermaphrodite. In hermaphrodite C. elegans, sperm production occurs first and is then stored in the spermatheca. Once the eggs are formed, they are able to self-fertilize and produce up to 350 progeny.[3]

  1. ^ a b Boron, Walter F., MD, Ph.D., Editor; Boulpaep, Emile L. (2012). "54". Medical physiology a cellular and molecular approach (Print) (Updated second ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 978-1-4377-1753-2. {{cite book}}: |first1= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)[page needed]
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference sperm was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Riddle, DL; Blumenthal, T; Meyer, B.J.; et al., eds. (1997). "I, The Biological Model". C. elegans II (2nd ed.). Cold Spring Harbor. NY: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. Retrieved April 13, 2014.