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Sperm Biology from Production to Ejaculation

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Unexplained Infertility

Abstract

Spermatogenesis is a sequence of highly intricate stages by which an undifferentiated diploid spermatogonium matures into a specialized, genetically unique haploid spermatozoon. Within the Sertoli cells, both mitosis and meiosis are responsible for transforming the diploid spermatogonial cells into unique haploid spermatids. This process requires the assistance of hormones regulated via the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal axis—namely, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). However, not all spermatogonia are destined to mature. In fact, most undergo apoptosis and are phagocytosed. Through spermiogenesis, spermatids elongate to form spermatozoa, which then leave the Sertoli cells and enter the epididymis for final maturation. Here, they acquire motility and acrosomal function, which are necessary for successful fertilization. This entire process from production to ejaculation of mature spermatozoa takes, on average, 64 days to complete. Essentially, spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis create fully functional spermatozoa that can travel efficiently through the female reproductive tract to the ovum and allows for the contribution of exclusive male genes to the offspring genome. This chapter serves as a comprehensive overview of sperm biology from production to ejaculation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Damayanthi Durairajanayagam, Anil K. Rengan BA, Rakesh K. Sharma & Ashok Agarwal

  2. 7 Setter Place, 08824, Kendall Park, NJ, USA

    Anil K. Rengan BA

Authors
  1. Damayanthi Durairajanayagam
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  2. Anil K. Rengan BA
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  3. Rakesh K. Sharma
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  4. Ashok Agarwal
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anil K. Rengan BA .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA

    Glenn L. Schattman

  2. Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic Referral Center for Male Reproduction, ANDROFERT, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    Sandro C. Esteves

  3. Andrology Center & Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lerner College of Medicine Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

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Durairajanayagam, D., Rengan, A., Sharma, R., Agarwal, A. (2015). Sperm Biology from Production to Ejaculation. In: Schattman, G., Esteves, S., Agarwal, A. (eds) Unexplained Infertility. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2140-9_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2140-9_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2139-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2140-9

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