Omne vivum ex ovo All living

things come from eggs.

William Harvery, 1651

Gametogenesis
This lecture is the preface, so to speak, to embryology; that is, it introduces
the development of the specialized germ line of cells from the male and
the female that are responsible for the beginnings of a new life form. You
will follow the presumptive gametic cells through development processes
requisite to producing the special haploid spermatozoon (sperm) and ooctye
(egg) of the male and female, respectively. Learning objectives are as follows:
Understand spermatogenesis the origin and development of the
spermatozoon.
Understand oogenesis the origin and development of the oocyte.
Be able to recognize the structural and functional differences
between the male and female gametes.

Gametogenesis

The formation of germ cells

You should understand this important basic process from a chromosomal
perspective. I assume you have covered this in general biology courses. If you
have not you should review it in your textbook as we wont focus on the basic
tenets of meiosis in lecture. Gametogenesis is the process of giving rise to the
specialized generative cells called gametes. Key features of the process involve
the reduction of the chromosome number (in half) and the alteration of the
cell cytoplasm and shape.

Spermatogenesis

Development of the male gamete

This process is the series of developmental events that alters the presumptive
male gamete, the spermatogonium into a mature spermatozoon.

Developmental stages
Primordial germ cell

Spermatogonium and associated sertoli cells

Primary spermatocyte
First meiotic division

Secondary spermatocytes
Second meiotic division

Spermatids
Spermiogenesis

Mature sperm

E m b r y o l o g y
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G a m e t o g e n e s i s

Anatomy of the Mature Sperm

Propulsion system to move the haploid nucleus

Basic structure
Head

Nucleus

Acrosome

Neck

Middle piece

Mitochondria

Tail

Principal piece

End piece

Size

Function

Oogenesis

Development of the female gamete

This process is the series of developmental events that alters the presumptive
female gamete, the oogonium into a mature oocyte.

Developmental stages
Primordial germ cell
Oogonium
Primary follicle

Primary oocyte surrounded by follicle cells

Growing follicle

Primary oocyte with increasing numbers of follicle cells

Large follicle

Primary oocyte in large secretory mass of follicle cells

First meiotic division and polar body

Antral follicle

Secondary oocyte in large fluid filled follicle

Ovulation

Ovulated oocyte

Secondary oocyte surrounded by corona radiata and zona pellucida

Fertilization and completion of second meiotic division

Polar bodies

Fertilized oocyte

E m b r y o l o g y
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G a m e t o g e n e s i s

Anatomy of the Mature Oocyte

The nourishing gamete

Basic structure
Nucleus

Cytoplasmic storehouse
Proteins

RNAs

Protective chemicals

Morphogenetic factors

Cortical granules

Surrounding cells and substances

Zona pellucida or vitelline envelope

Corona radiata

Follicular cells

Size

Function

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Comparison of Spermatozoa and Oocytes

Genetic differences
Sex chromosomes

Size differences

Ctyoplasmic comparisons
Functional role of the egg cytoplasm
Yolk

Purpose of yolk

Yolk classification
Miolecithal

Medialecithal

Megalecithal

Yolk distribution
Isolecithal

Centrolecithal

Telolecithal

Associated cells

Numbers

Activity levels motility

E m b r y o l o g y
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G a m e t o g e n e s i s

Comparisons of Gametogenesis
Spermatogenesis

Oogenesis

Spermatogonium

Primary oocyte
in primary follicle

Primary spermatocyte

Primary oocyte
in growing follicle

Primary oocyte
in large follicle
Secondary spermatocyte

Spermatids
Secondary oocyte
in mature follicle

Fertilized oocyte

Mature sperm

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E m b r y o l o g y
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