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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

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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 Transport01:15

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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.
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Sperm Structure and Semen Composition01:22

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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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Meiosis II01:57

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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...
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Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation
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Sperm storage: distinguishing selective processes and evaluating criteria.

Teri J Orr1, Patricia L R Brennan1

  • 1Departments of Psychology and Biology, and Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|April 7, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Sperm storage, the extended maintenance of viable sperm, is common in animals with internal fertilization. This adaptation impacts reproduction, evolution, and sexual selection dynamics across diverse species.

Keywords:
delayed fertilizationpostcopulatory sexual selectionreproductive delayssexual conflictsperm competitionsperm longevitysperm storage

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Animal Behavior

Background:

  • Sperm storage, the prolonged viability of sperm after mating, is a widespread phenomenon in internally fertilizing animals.
  • This reproductive strategy temporally decouples mating from fertilization, influencing various ecological and evolutionary processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and discuss the criteria used for identifying sperm storage across taxa.
  • To explore how these criteria aid in understanding the evolutionary diversity of sperm-storage adaptations.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on sperm storage.
  • Analysis of criteria used to define and detect sperm storage in different animal groups.

Main Results:

  • Sperm storage is influenced by diverse selective pressures on both females and males, potentially leading to coevolutionary dynamics.
  • The criteria for identifying sperm storage can arise from various selective forces, sometimes acting in concert.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the criteria for sperm storage is crucial for deciphering its adaptive significance and evolutionary trajectories.
  • Further research using consistent criteria will illuminate the diversity of sperm-storage adaptations and their evolutionary impact.