Sperm
The term “sperm” has been derived from a Greek word sperma, meaning “the seed”, and is denoted to the male reproductive cell which is produced during the sexual division of cells known as Meiosis. In this type of division, the last cell of division contains half the number of chromosomes which helps to retain the constant number of chromosomes in species. The phenomenon of production of sperms is usually known as Spermatogenesis. When a sperm fuses with an egg (reproductive cell of female), process is known as Fertilization. The male ejaculates the semen which contains mature sperm cells in it.
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Sperm
STRUCTURE AND LOCATION
Sperm is usually oval in shape and consists of a head, middle part and a tail.
- The head is the basic part that contains all the genetic information condensed in the form of chromosomes. On the anterior side of the head, there is a small cap known as acrosome. Acrosome has enzymes in it that are essential for penetration of sperm into the egg.
- The middle part contains millions of mitochondria producing ATP required for movement across the vagina and uterus and propelling towards the egg.
- The tail is a modified flagellum actually, which is required for the motility of the sperm. This motile sperm then moves towards the egg with the help of this flagellum.
- The sperms are produced in the male testes and require a relatively cold temperature for the production.
- Each sperm is only 50 micrometers long.
- During a single ejaculation, one/fourth of a billion sperms are produced in semen.
FUNCTION
- Sperms are meant to fertilize the egg of a female and hence a zygote is produced which grows into an Embryo and then Fetus and ultimately a new baby. In this way, sperm constitutes the half of the genetic information of the zygote and other half is carried by the female egg.
- Sperm cell plays the main role in determining the newborn’s gender.
CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
Azoospermia is lack of sufficient sperm cells in the semen and fertilization does not take place as a result.
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