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Difference Between Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis: Definitions, Process, Formation of Sperms and Eggs, and Similarities

Nikita Parmar

Updated on 02nd May, 2023 , 7 min read

Difference Between Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis Overview

Spermatogenesis and oogenesis are the processes by which male and female gametes are formed. Spermatogenesis is the process by which sperms are formed, whereas oogenesis is the process by which ova are formed. The primary distinction between spermatogenesis and oogenesis is the procedure, occurrence, and product creation after gametogenesis. The distinction in the procedure is between the creation of sperm from spermatogonium and the synthesis of the ovum from oogonium.

Difference Between Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis Definitions

Definitions of Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperms are formed from a diploid stem cell known as the spermatogonium. The procedure takes place within the testis's seminiferous tubules. The complete procedure takes around 70 days.

Definitions of Oogenesis

Oogenesis is the process through which an egg develops. The procedure takes place in the female ovaries. One oogonium yields one ovum.

Difference Between Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis Facts

Facts about Spermatogenesis

  1. Spermatogenesis requires 70 days for the synthesis of sperm from Spermatogonium.
  2. A spermatogonium produces four spermatozoa.
  3. Two secondary spermatocytes are produced by a single original spermatocyte.
  4. The number of chromosomes in humans is 46; because there is no meiosis division in the spermatogonium, the chromosomal number will remain the same. 
  5. However, when the primary spermatocyte passes through meiotic cell divisions 1 and 2, the chromosomal number is reduced to half, i.e., 46 in the primary and 23 in secondary spermatocytes, spermatids, and sperm.
  6. 200-300 million sperm are generated in a single ejaculation. It is made up of 60% non-motile sperm and 40% motile sperm.
  7. In a guy, the usual range should be within 100 million/ml of sperm.
  8. If the count is low, the disorder known as "Oligospermia" develops, resulting in infertility.

Facts about Oogenesis

  1. An oogonium produces only one ovum.
  2. One main oocyte will give rise to one secondary oocyte and one polar body that will degenerate from the ovary.
  3. Because there is no meiosis division in the oogonium, the chromosomal number will be the same as in humans. 
  4. However, when the primary oocyte goes through meiotic cell divisions 1 and 2, the chromosomal number is reduced by half, resulting in 46 chromosomes in the main oocyte, 23 chromosomes in the secondary oocyte, and one polar body and ovum.
  5. During oogenesis, 7 million primary oocytes develop in the ovary of a female fetus, which decreases to 2-4 million at birth. In a reproductive period of 11-50 years, only 40,000 primary oocytes are left after puberty and revert to 480 following division.

Difference Between Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis Process

Process for Spermatogenesis

The following stages are involved in the spermatogenesis process-

  1. Spermatogonium begins as the germinal epithelial lining of the seminiferous tubules, which are diploid stem cells with totipotency.
  2. It then undergoes mitotic cell division before evolving into primary spermatocytes. "Spermatocytogenesis" is the name given to this process.
  3. This main spermatocyte then goes through meiosis cell division-1 and forms two secondary spermatocytes.
  4. Now, these secondary spermatocytes go through meiosis cell division-2 and generate two spermatids that link to the testis lumen's border through cytoplasmic bridges.
  5. Spermatids are spherical, non-motile cells that develop into motile, haploid sperms during maturation. "Spermiogenesis" refers to the process through which sperm produce spermatids.

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Process for Oogenesis

The following stages are involved in the oogenesis process-

  1. The oogonium develops from the germinal epithelium that covers the ovary and has the ability to self-renew.
  2. Oogonium then undergoes mitotic cell division and develops into primary oocytes.
  3. This main oocyte then proceeds through meiosis cell division-1, which seizes in childhood at the diplotene stage. 
  4. Puberty aids in the production of secondary oocytes and one polar body.
  5. Secondary oocytes undergo meiosis cell division-2, which terminates at the metaphase stage and results in the formation of an ootid.
  6. When this ootid undergoes fertilization, it forms a non-motile, huge, spherical ovum and a degenerate second polar body.

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Difference Between Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis

The following table gives details about the difference between spermatogenesis and oogenesis-

Parameters

Spermatogenesis

Oogenesis

Definitions

The major aspect of spermatogenesis is the creation of sperm.

The key feature is the ovum's formation during oogenesis.

Location 

Male testes are where spermatogenesis occurs.

Oogenesis occurs in the female ovary.

Stages

The testis is where all of the phases take place.

Only the last step of oogenesis occurs in the oviduct.

Duration 

It happens every day.

It only happens once a month.

Cell Division 

The division is even, and it contributes to the creation of four haploid spermatids.

The cell division is uneven, which aids in the development of one haploid ovum and two polar bodies.

Nuclear Condensation

It happens in the sperm.

The ovum has no nuclear condensation.

Growth 

The growing stage is brief.

The growth period has been prolonged.

Production Rate

Every day, millions of sperm are produced.

Once a month, only one ovum is released.

Morality

Sperms are mobile.

The ovaries are immobile.

Release

Sperm are expelled from the testis.

The ovary releases its contents.

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Key Difference Between Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis

The two most critical processes in life are spermatogenesis and oogenesis. It is simple to distinguish between spermatogenesis and oogenesis because of their location and the eventual outcome. Sperms are modest in size and have a characteristic tail that allows them to move. An ovum, on the other hand, is bigger, without a tail, and non-motile. These cells have a set of chromosomes, which means that when they unite to create the zygote, the ensuing cell is diploid (2n).

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Similarities Between Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis

The following table gives details about the similarities between spermatogenesis and oogenesis-

Parameter

Spermatogenesis

Oogenesis

Type of Cell Division

Meiosis

Resulting Cell Type 

Sperms- Haploid

Ovum- Haploid

Progenitor Cell

Spermatogonia- Stem Cell

Oogonia- Stem Cell

Phases 

Multiplicative, Growth, and Maturation

Points to Remember

  1. Spermatogenesis is the process of producing haploid sperm from a diploid stem cell, the spermatogonium. 
  2. The treatment takes place within the seminiferous tubules of the testis.
  3. Oogenesis is the process through which eggs are produced in the ovaries of a female. It is formed from oogonia, which is located in the ovary.
  4. Spermatogenesis and oogenesis are the processes by which male and female gametes are created. Oogenesis is involved in the development of the ova, whereas spermatogenesis is involved in the generation of sperm.
  5. The Oogonium has the same number of chromosomes as humans since there is no meiosis division.
  6. However, during meiotic cell divisions 1 and 2, the primary oocyte's chromosome number is cut in half, resulting in 46 chromosomes in the primary oocyte and 23 in the secondary oocyte, as well as one polar body and ovum.
  7. The ovary of a female fetus generates 7 million primary oocytes throughout oogenesis, which decreases to 2-4 million before delivery. Females have just 40,000 initial oocytes left after puberty, and this number lowers to 480 after division in a reproductive period that lasts 11-50 years.
  8. Sperms are small and have a distinctive tail that helps them to travel. An ovum, on the other hand, is larger, non-motile, and does not have a tail.

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How do Sperm form?

  1. Sperms are male gametes that are generated in the testis. 
  2. Spermatogenesis is the process by which sperm is produced in the male testis.
  3. Spermatogonium is the sperm-producing mother cell. 
  4. These cells can be found in the small tubules of the male testis.
  5. The spermatogonium is a diploid cell with two chromosomes. 
  6. Each spermatogonium gives birth to four haploid (n) spermatozoa.
  7. Spermatogonium is formed by spermatogenic germ cells. 
  8. These germ cells are stem cells that can renew themselves. 
  9. The differentiation of spermatogenic germ cells results in the development of intermediate spermatogonia, which then undergoes mitosis to become type B spermatogonia.
  10. Mitosis is then carried out on these type B spermatogonia in order to produce primary spermatocytes. 
  11. Primary spermatocytes go through meiosis I to create secondary spermatocytes.
  12. Meiosis II takes place in secondary spermatocytes and results in the formation of four haploid spermatids. These spermatids proceed through spermiogenesis to form the sperm tail.
  13. Spermatogenesis begins when males reach puberty and continue for the rest of their lives. This procedure produces millions of sperm every day. 
  14. Human spermatic cord development takes around 70 days.

How does the Female Egg Production process work?

  1. Oogenesis is the process through which eggs are produced in the ovaries of a female. 
  2. It is formed from oogonia, which is located in the ovary. 
  3. Meiosis is the process by which an egg or ovum is produced from a diploid initial oocyte. 
  4. Two polar bodies are formed during meiosis I and II. 
  5. Unlike spermatogenesis, which occurs every day, oogenesis occurs once a month, beginning with adolescence and ending with menopause.
  6. The oogonia, a stem cell, is the first female reproductive cell, comparable to spermatogonia. 
  7. As a result, oogonia have the ability to self-renew and differentiate. 
  8. Thousands of oogonia divide into around seven million germ cells during the second and seventh months of embryonic development.
  9. The main oocytes divide meiotically until they reach the diplotene stage of the embryonic stage, at which point they stop dividing and become quiescent. 
  10. Cell division is inhibited until the female enters puberty. 
  11. Several main oocytes have also been discovered to be retained until the age of 50. 
  12. These additional oocytes exit the ovary after ovulation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is oogenesis?

Ans. Oogenesis is the process through which the ovum develops from the oogonia.

What is spermatogenesis?

Ans. Spermatogenesis is the process through which sperm develops from spermatogonia.

How many cells are formed following oogenesis?

Ans. Following oogenesis, one ovum and two polar bodies are created.

What do the three phases of spermatogenesis and oogenesis have in common?

Ans. Multiplicative, Growth, and Maturation are the three common phases of spermatogenesis and oogenesis.

What are haploid and diploid?

Ans. Haploid cells are those that have a single pair of chromosomes. They number 23 in total. Diploid cells are those that have a full set of chromosomes. They number 46 in total.

How many sperms are produced as a result of spermatogenesis?

Ans. Following spermatogenesis, four haploid sperms are generated.

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