Gametogenesis in mice

Oogenesis
Gametes in most mammals have the same general process of maturation and development. Mice
(Mus musculus) are In oogenesis in mice, the oogonia are derived from the primordial germ cells
while in spermatogenesis, spermatogonia are derived the epithelial cells of testis cords. In mice,
most oocytes have entered the diplotene stage by the time of birth and oogonia is no longer
present in the ovary. However, resting oocytes are found in the first 2-3 days after birth. The
diplotene stage is a transitory stage followed by the dictyate stage which is characterized by
highly diffused chromosomes. During this stage, growing oocytes actively transcribe the genes
for zona pellucida which is responsible for the binding of the sperm. Oocytes will remain in
dictyate stage either to resume meiosis at ovulation or to atresia.

Figure 1. Oogenesis
Usually, follicle growth from the resting stage to ovulation lasts about 18-19 days, however,
studies have not generally quantified this time period. Follicle growth begins at about the third
day after birth in infant mice. From this period on, the granulosa cells are induced to proliferate
and the encased oocyte is stimulated to start its growth. Growing follicles are much more
abundant in the prepubertal than in the adult animal and first appear in the 3rd to 4th day after
birth.

Figure 2. Follicle growth during oogenesis

Oocytes undergo cytoplasmic growth while in the dictyate stage. Synthesis of informational and
ribosomal RNAs is a common feature in all stages of follicular growth. Ovulation time periods
between humans and mice vary from each other. During estrus in mice, environmental cues
stimulate the hypothalamus to release gonadotropin-releasing hormones namely the FollicleStimulating Hormone and the Luteinzing hormone. These function to induce the ovarian cells to
proliferate, secrete estrogen, stimulate follicular growth and initiate ovulation. The mouse is
considered to be a polyestrus animal. There are several substages of estrus):

Proestrus - new eggs reach maturity within the ovarian follicles

Estrus - ovulation of fully mature oocytes

Metestrus - mature eggs move through the oviducts and into the uterus

Diestrus - If pregnancy does not occur; unfertilized eggs are elimintated and a
new cycle of oogenesis and follicle growth occurs

The first stage of oogenesis occurs in the germinal epithelium which gives rise to the
development of ovarian follicles. The oogonium is dipoid and also mitotically divides during the
first part of oogenesis. The oogonia then differentiate into primary oocytes. This is also where
the dictyate stage occurs. The primary oocyte then meiotically divides into the secondary oocyte
which also produces the first polar body containing excess genetic information. The secondary
oocyte then differentiates into an ootid when fertilized. Then finally, the ootid matures into the
ovum. If no fertilization occurs, the corpus luteum disintegrates into the corpus albicans.

Figure 3. Mouse oocyte

Spermatogenesis
The spermatogenic cycle in mice lasts around 48 days. Like in oogonia, spermatogonia also
proliferate through mitosis. A cycle of mitosis ends when a B spermatocgonia is produced. Males
have an almost unlimited capacity to produce germ cells due replenishment of A spermatogonia
early in mitosis. The spermatogonia then differenatiates into the primary spermatocyte which
then undergoes meiosis I producing secondary spermatocytes. These secondary spermatocytes
then differentiate into spermatids which then mature into spermatozoons.

During

spermatogenesis, Leydig cells (interstitial cells) produce testosterone and initiate maturation of
sperm cells while Sertoli cells, nurse cells; provide nutrition, produce antigen-binding proteins
and serve as a blood-testis barrier.

Figure 4. Comparison of spermatogenesis and oogenesis

Spermiogenesis occurs between the spermatid and spermatozoa stages. During spermiogenesis,
the thickening and reduction of the nuclear size and condensation of the nuclear contents into the
smallest space occurs. Acrosome formation also occurs, forming a cap (acrosome) containing
enzymes that play an important role in the penetration through the pellucid zone of the oocyte.
The flagellum is formed and the cytoplasm is reduced. Thus producing a functional
spermatozoon.

Figure 5. Mouse testis

References:
Gilbert, S.F. (2003). Developmental Biology.Sunderlands, Massachusetts: Sinauer Associates,
Inc., Publishers
Hill, M.A. (2016) Embryology Oocyte Development. Retrieved

September 4,

2016, from
https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Oocyte_Development
Johnson, M.H. (1977). Development in mammals. New York: North-Holland Pub. Co.