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Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male reproductive...

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is a complex process that involves the development of sperm cells from undifferentiated stem cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. The process is essential for the production of mature and functional sperm cells that are capable of fertilizing an egg.
The process of spermatogenesis can be divided into mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During mitosis, the spermatogonia or stem cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells, type A and B spermatogonia. Type-A...

Meiosis II

Meiosis II

Meiosis II is the second and final stage of meiosis. It relies on the haploid cells produced during meiosis I, each of which contain only 23 chromosomes—one from each homologous initial pair. Importantly, each chromosome in these cells is composed of two joined copies, and when these cells enter meiosis II, the goal is to separate such sister chromatids using the same microtubule-based network employed in other division processes. The result of meiosis II is two haploid cells, each containing...

Fertilization

Fertilization

During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...

Meiosis I

Meiosis I

Meiosis is the division of a diploid cell into haploid cells forming sperm and eggs in animals through differentiation. Meiosis I is the first stage of meiosis, where the genetic recombination of homologous chromosomes and the reduction of the ploidy level by half occurs.
Prophase I is the most extended and complex step of meiosis I characterized by synapsis, chromosome pairing, and recombination of the homologous chromosomes. This process is facilitated by a proteinaceous structure called the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model

A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model

Published on: February 6, 2018

Selenium in mammalian spermiogenesis.

Leopold Flohé¹

¹Molisa GmbH, Brenneckestrasse 20, D-39118 Magdeburg, Germany. l.flohe@t-online.de

Biological Chemistry

|October 17, 2007

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Selenium is crucial for male fertility, particularly through selenoprotein P and GPx4 in sperm development. Impaired GPx4 function due to selenium deficiency or genetic issues can lead to male infertility.

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Area of Science:

Reproductive Biology
Nutritional Biochemistry
Molecular Genetics

Background:

Selenium is an essential trace element vital for numerous physiological processes.
Selenoproteins, such as selenoprotein P and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4), play critical roles in male reproductive health.
Spermiogenesis, the final stage of sperm development, involves complex molecular transformations influenced by selenium.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the role of selenium in male fertility, focusing on selenoprotein P and GPx4.
To elucidate the mechanisms by which GPx4 functions and transforms during spermiogenesis.
To examine the genetic and clinical evidence linking GPx4 to male infertility.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on selenium, selenoproteins, and male fertility.
Analysis of inverse genetics studies on selenoprotein P.
Examination of GPx4 synthesis, transformation, and genetic expression in spermatids and spermatozoa.

Main Results:

Selenoprotein P is essential for selenium transport to the testes.
GPx4 undergoes a transformation from a peroxidase to a structural protein in late spermiogenesis, losing glutathione.
The mitochondrially expressed GPx4 gene is most relevant for fertility; clinical data show low sperm GPx4 is associated with infertility.

Conclusions:

Impaired GPx4 biosynthesis, caused by selenium deficiency or genetic defects, is a significant factor in male infertility.
GPx4's dual role as an enzyme and structural protein is critical for sperm function.
While GPx4 defects can cause infertility, they may also be a consequence of other testicular dysfunctions.