spermatozoon

spermatozoon /sper·ma·to·zo·on/ (-zo´on) pl. spermatozo´a   sperm; a mature male germ cell, which fertilizes the oocyte in sexual reproduction and contains the genetic information for the zygote from the male. Spermatozoa, formed in the seminiferous tubules, are derived from spermatogonia, which first develop into spermatocytes; these in turn produce spermatids by meiosis, which then differentiate into spermatozoa.spermatozo´al

Human spermatozoon: side view (in cross section) and flat view.

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sper·mat·o·zo·on (spr-mt-zn, -n, spûrm-t-)

n. pl. sper·mat·o·zo·a (-z)

The mature male gamete or sex cell that consists of a cylindrical nucleated cell with a short neck and a thin motile tail, contains genetic information to be transmitted by the male, exhibits autokinesia, and is able to effect zygosis with an ovum; sperm.

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sper·mato·zoal (-zl), sper·mato·zoan (-zn), sper·mato·zoic (-zk) adj.

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spermatozoon

pl. spermatozoa; a mature male germ cell, the specific output of the testes, which impregnates the ovum in sexual reproduction.

The mature sperm cell is microscopic in size. It looks like a translucent tadpole, and has a flat, elliptical head containing a spherical center section, and a long tail by which it propels itself with a vigorous lashing movement.

Normal spermatozoon. By permission from Aspinall V, O'Reilly M, Introduction to Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology, Butterworth Heinemann, 2004