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Related Concept Videos

Spermatogenesis01:41

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...
Spermatogenesis01:22

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...
Testes: Histology01:27

Testes: Histology

A tough, fibrous membrane, the tunica albuginea, covers the testes, extending inward to form fibrous partitions or septa, dividing them into internal compartments called lobules. Each lobule has 1 to 3 tightly coiled seminiferous tubules where sperm production occurs. These tubules merge into a tubular network at the back of the testis, known as the rete testis. It connects to 15 to 20 efferent ductules, leading to the epididymis.
The spermatogenic cells, responsible for producing sperm, are...
Testes: Gross Anatomy01:19

Testes: Gross Anatomy

The testes, also known as testicles, are the male gonads. They are housed within the scrotum, a sac-like structure located beneath the penis. The scrotum's primary role is to regulate the temperature of the testes, which is crucial for sperm production.
Each testis is surrounded by the tunica albuginea, a dense connective tissue layer that provides structural support and protection. This layer is covered by an outer serous membrane called the tunica vaginalis, which helps reduce friction...
Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus01:15

Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus

Development of the reproductive organs in an embryo starts from a bipotential state. This means the early embryo can develop either male or female reproductive organs. The formation of these organs begins with the growth of gonadal ridges that arise from the intermediate mesoderm during the fifth week of development.
Near the gonadal ridges, two duct systems are present: the mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts) and paramesonephric ducts (Müllerian ducts). These ducts form the basis for the male...
Sperm Transport01:15

Sperm Transport

The journey of sperm from its origin to the point of ejaculation begins within the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Here, Sertoli cells produce fluid that propels non-motile sperm through a series of conduits, starting with the straight tubules leading to the rete testis. This interconnected network of tubules acts as the initial pathway for sperm, guiding them into the efferent ductules and then into the epididymis for maturation.
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Using Ex Vivo Upright Droplet Cultures of Whole Fetal Organs to Study Developmental Processes during Mouse Organogenesis
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Published on: October 21, 2015

A cellular study of human testis development.

H Ostrer1, H Y Huang, R J Masch

  • 1Human Genetics Program, Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA. harry.ostrer@med.nyu.edu

Sexual Development : Genetics, Molecular Biology, Evolution, Endocrinology, Embryology, and Pathology of Sex Determination and Differentiation
|April 9, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study details human testis development, mapping key cellular events and comparing them to mouse development. It highlights early Leydig cell differentiation and fetal germ cell maturation.

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Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

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Published on: February 6, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Human testis formation involves complex cellular differentiation and signaling pathways.
  • Understanding the precise timing of these events is crucial for reproductive health research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To catalog the cellular events during human testis formation.
  • To compare the developmental timeline with that of the developing mouse testis.
  • To investigate the expression of key testis-determining genes during early development.

Main Methods:

  • Immunocytochemistry using specific cell type marker antibodies.
  • Comparative analysis of human and mouse embryonic gonadal development.
  • Gene expression analysis of candidate testis-determining genes.

Main Results:

  • Identified the temporal sequence of cell appearance: germ cells and coelomic epithelial cells (7 weeks), Sertoli and Leydig cells (9 weeks), vascular endothelial and peritubular myoid cells (12 weeks).
  • Human testis development sequence is similar to mice but longer; Leydig cell differentiation is early, and germ cell maturation occurs in fetal life.
  • Candidate testis-determining genes (FGF9, GATA4, FOG2, EMX2, CBX2) expressed at 7 weeks; FGF9 also expressed in germ cells post-determination.

Conclusions:

  • Established a detailed timeline for human testicular cell differentiation.
  • Confirmed conserved roles of key genes in mammalian testis development.
  • Suggests FGF9 has roles in both early testis determination and later germ cell maturation.