Difference Between Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis

In every living organism that has the sexual type of reproduction, gametes are necessary. So these gametes are synthesized in the body by a special process. These processes differ from each other in opposite sexes. Different processes synthesize male and female gametes. Males have germ cells or gametes called sperm, while females have gametes called eggs or ova. The process of production or development of the sperm is called spermatogenesis which occurs in the testicles of the male while the process of production or development of the egg cell is called oogenesis and occurs in the ovaries of the female. So the key difference of spermatogenesis and oogenesis is the difference in the sex of the organism and the situation in which they take place.

Comparison chart

Sperm means male gamete and Genesis means synthesis. Spermatogenesis is the process of formation and development of sperm, in this haploid sperm are formed from diploid sperm. It takes place within the seminiferous tubules of the male’s testes. All stages of spermatogenesis are completed within the male’s testis, and it is a constant process which means that sperm are continually being synthesized in the male. It is a short process in which the spermatogonia divide into spermatocytes. This process takes place in the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules. The primary spermatocyte divides into two secondary spermatocytes which then divide by meiosis II to form spermatids. Note that polar bodies do not form here. These spermatids go through the condensation process and finally form mature sperm. These spermatozoa have a head, a body,

What is oogenesis?

Oo means ovum or female gamete and Genesis means synthesis. Oogenesis is the process of formation and development of the ovum, in this haploid ovum are formed from the diploid ovum. It takes place inside the follicles of the woman’s ovaries. It is not completed in the ovaries, most of the oogenesis takes place in the ovaries, while the last stage occurs outside the ovaries in the female reproductive pathway. In oogenesis, the growth phase is prolonged and the ovum develops in the epithelium of the ovaries. The primary oocyte undergoes meiosis I to form a secondary oocyte and a polar body; then the secondary oocyte divides by meiosis II to form an ovum and a polar body. There is no condensation in this. Ovum do not have a tail, so they are not mobile.

Spermatogenesis versus oogenesis

• Spermatogenesis is the process of formation and development of sperm, while oogenesis is the process of formation and development of the ovum.
• Spermatogenesis occurs in males while oogenesis occurs in females.
• All stages of spermatogenesis are completed within the male testis and it is a constant process. On the other hand, oogenesis is not completed in the ovaries, most of the oogenesis takes place in the ovaries while the last stage occurs outside the ovaries in the female reproductive pathway and is not a constant process.
• Spermatogenesis is a short process while oogenesis is a long process.
• In spermatogenesis, no polar body is formed while in oogenesis two polar bodies are formed.
• In spermatogenesis, condensation of the material takes place while in oogenesis, condensation does not occur.