Spermiogenesis

What is spermiogenesis?

Spermiogenesis is the last phase in the formation of spermatozoa (the male sex cells that carry a man's genetic material). During this stage of maturation, the spermatid cells see an increase in the size of the tail and a decrease in the spermatozoa head.

This series of complex transformations result in the final constitution of the spermatozoa, the male cells that transfer DNA to the oocyte.

The mature sperm are released through the seminiferous tubules, which are small tubes inside the testicles, responsible for producing sperm and the hormone testosterone. The approximate duration of this process is two and a half months.
 

What are the phases of spermiogenesis?

There are four phases in which spermiogenesis occurs. These are:
 

1. The Golgi phase - the initial set of events where the spermatid is prepared to acquire the major parts of a sperm cell, the tail and the head. The genetic (DNA) is also tightly packaged, highly condensed and inactive.
2. Cap phase - this leads to the formation of the acrosomal cap, which is a membrane-bound compartment at the tip of the head of the spermatid. 
3. Formation of the tale - this phase is characterised by the elongation of the microtubules on one of the centrioles of the spermatid to become to tail. 
4. Maturation stage - the final phase where the testis-determining factor, which concentrates testosterone, is formed. 
    

 Spermiogenesis occurs in the coiled tubules called seminiferous tubules within the testes.
 

What is the difference between spermiogenesis and spermatogenesis?

Both spermiogenesis and spermatogenesis are two stages during the formation of sperms. The main difference is that spermatogenesis is the formation of sperm cells whereas spermiogenesis is the maturation of the spermatids into sperm cells.

Spermatogenesis is the complete process of the production of the sperm cells from the cells of the germinal epithelium of males. Spermiogenesis is the final differentiation and maturation process of the spermatids into sperm cells.

The main difference between spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis is the mechanism of each process in the production of the sperm. 
 

What is the importance of spermiogenesis?

Spermiogenesis is an important biological process as it leads to the transformation of spermatids into mature spermatozoa. 

During the phases, if there are any abnormalities in the head, midpiece, tail, genetic content, and subcellular structures, it could lead to dysfunctional sperm cells, and thus, to male infertility.