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Spermatid

Spermatid

Germinal epithelium of the testicle. 1: basal lamina 2: spermatogonia 3: spermatocyte 1st order 4: spermatocyte 2nd order 5: spermatid 6: mature spermatid 7: Sertoli cell 8: tight junction (blood testis barrier)

Transverse section of a tubule of the testis of a rat. X 250.
Gray's	subject #258 1243
MeSH	Spermatids

The term spermatid refers to the haploid male gametid that results from division of secondary spermatocytes. As a result of meiosis, each spermatid contains only half of the genetic material present in the original primary spermatocyte.

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Spermatids are connected together by cytoplasmic material and have superfluous cytoplasmic material around their nuclei.

When formed, early round spermatids must undergo further maturational events in order to develop into spermatozoa, a process termed spermiogenesis (also termed spermeteliosis).

The spermatids begin to grow a tail, develop a thickened mid-piece where the mitochondria become localised and form an acrosome. Spermatid DNA also undergoes packaging, becoming highly condensed. The DNA is packaged firstly with specific nuclear basic proteins, which are subsequently replaced with protamines during spermatid elongation. The resultant tightly packed chromatin is transcriptionally inactive.

Additional images

v • d • e Male reproductive system
Scrotum	layers (skin, Dartos, External spermatic fascia, Cremaster/Cremasteric fascia, Internal spermatic fascia) • Perineal raphe • Spermatic cord
Testes	layers (Tunica vaginalis, Tunica albuginea) • Appendix • Mediastinum • Lobules • Septa • Leydig cell • Sertoli cell • Blood-testis barrier
Spermatogenesis	Spermatogonium • Spermatocytogenesis • Spermatocyte • Spermatidogenesis • Spermatid • Spermiogenesis • Spermatozoon
seminal tract	Seminiferous tubules (Tubuli seminiferi recti, Rete testis, Efferent ducts) • Epididymis (Appendix) • Vas deferens (Ampulla) • Ejaculatory duct
urinary tract	Internal urethral orifice • Urethra (Prostatic, Intermediate, Spongy, Navicular fossa) • External urethral orifice
accessory glands	Seminal vesicles (Excretory duct of seminal gland) • Prostate (Urethral crest/Seminal colliculus/Prostatic utricle/Ejaculatory duct, Prostatic sinus/Prostatic ducts) • Bulbourethral glands
Penis	root (Crus, Bulb, Fundiform ligament, Suspensory ligament) • body (Corpus cavernosum, Corpus spongiosum) • glans (Foreskin, Frenulum, Corona) • fascia (superficial/subcutaneous, deep/Buck's) • Tunica albuginea - Septum of the penis