Spermatozoan

Origin

The spermatozoa of animals are produced through spermatogenesis inside the male gonads (testicles) via meiotic division. The initial spermatozoon process takes around 70 days to complete. The process starts with the production of spermatogonia from germ cell precursors. These divide and differentiate into spermatocytes, which undergo meiosis to form spermatids. In the spermatid stage, the sperm develops the familiar tail. The next stage where it becomes fully mature takes around 60 days when it is called a spermatozoan. Human sperm cells can survive within the female reproductive tract for more than 5 days post coitus. Mammalian sperm cells are ejaculated through the penis in a fluid known as semen, which is produced in the seminal vesicles, prostate gland and urethral glands.