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Alberts B, Bray D, Lewis J, et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 3rd edition. New York: Garland Science; 1994.

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Cover of Molecular Biology of the Cell

Molecular Biology of the Cell. 3rd edition.

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Figure 20-22. Highly simplified drawing of a cross-section of a seminiferous tubule in a mammalian testis.

Figure 20-22Highly simplified drawing of a cross-section of a seminiferous tubule in a mammalian testis

(A) All of the stages of spermatogenesis shown take place while the developing gametes are in intimate association with Sertoli cells, which are large cells that extend from the basal lamina to the lumen of the seminiferous tubule; they are analogous to follicle cells in the ovary. Spermatogenesis depends on testosterone secreted by Leydig cells, located between the seminiferous tubules. (B) Dividing spermatogonia are found along the basal lamina. Some of these cells stop dividing and enter meiosis to become primary spermatocytes. Eventually sperm are released into the lumen. In man it takes about 24 days for a spermatocyte to complete meiosis to become a spermatid and another 5 weeks for a spermatid to develop into a sperm. Sperm undergo further maturation and become motile in the epididymis and are only then fully mature sperm.

From: Sperm

Copyright © 1994, Bruce Alberts, Dennis Bray, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, and James D Watson.

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