spermatogenesis
n. the production of spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Male germ cells (spermatogonia; sing.
spermatogonium) lining the seminiferous tubules mature into primary spermatocytes, which undergo meiosis to eventually result in mature spermatozoa (four per spermatocyte). In the first meiotic division, each primary spermatocyte gives rise to two haploid
secondary spermatocytes, each of which then undergoes a further division to form two spermatids. The latter, attached to Sertoli cells, mature into spermatozoa. The process is controlled by pituitary gonadotropins, which promote the release of testosterone from the interstitial cells of the testis, which in turn stimulates sperm production. Spermatogenesis is continuous in human males after the onset of puberty and seasonal in some other animal species. —spermatogenetic
adj.