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Related Concept Videos

Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

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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...
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Spermatogenesis01:22

Spermatogenesis

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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...
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Sperm Structure and Semen Composition01:22

Sperm Structure and Semen Composition

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During ejaculation, males release around 2-5 milliliters of semen, which is a complex mixture of mature sperm and various fluids produced by accessory glands. The mature sperm cells measure approximately 60 micrometers in length and consist of a head, neck, midpiece, and tail. The head is flattened and tapered, measuring about 4 to 5 micrometers in length. It contains a nucleus with condensed chromosomes and an acrosome, a cap-like structure filled with enzymes essential for penetrating the...
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Fertilization01:38

Fertilization

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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...
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Sperm Transport01:15

Sperm Transport

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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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Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

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Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
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Updated: Apr 23, 2026

Stable Isotope In-Vivo Labeling for Mass-Spectrometry Identification of Paternal Metabolites Transferred from Sperm to Oocyte During Fertilization
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Stable Isotope In-Vivo Labeling for Mass-Spectrometry Identification of Paternal Metabolites Transferred from Sperm to Oocyte During Fertilization

Published on: June 17, 2025

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Sperm epigenomics: challenges and opportunities.

Eduard Casas1, Tanya Vavouri1

  • 1Institute of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer Barcelona, Spain.

Frontiers in Genetics
|October 4, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The sperm epigenome, once thought insignificant, may transmit information across generations. Recent advances allow studying this non-genetic material for potential roles post-fertilization.

Keywords:
DNA methylationchromatinepigenetic inheritanceepigenomicsspermtranscriptome

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Sperm, a terminally differentiated cell, delivers a haploid genome but its epigenome was traditionally disregarded.
  • Sperm's transcriptional inactivity, protamine packaging, and post-fertilization DNA methylation erasure supported its epigenetic insignificance.
  • Emerging evidence suggests the sperm epigenome might mediate intergenerational epigenetic inheritance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of current knowledge on sperm epigenomes.
  • To discuss challenges in analyzing sperm epigenomes.
  • To explore opportunities in understanding non-genetic information carriers in sperm.

Main Methods:

  • Genome-wide profiling of sperm epigenomes.
  • Analysis of large-scale datasets.
  • Review of existing literature on sperm epigenetics.

Main Results:

  • Technical advancements enable genome-wide profiling of sperm epigenomes.
  • Numerous datasets have been generated to investigate sperm's non-genetic content.
  • The sperm epigenome's potential role in transmitting information is under active investigation.

Conclusions:

  • The sperm epigenome, contrary to prior beliefs, may play a role in inheritance.
  • Understanding sperm epigenetics is crucial for reproductive biology and developmental origins of health and disease.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms and implications of sperm epigenome transmission.