Answer to Question #63326 in Zoology for Sanjukta Ghosh

Question #63326

I was reading O’Donnell, Liza et al. “Spermiation: The Process of Sperm Release.” and got stuck with a question.

From the paper,'' Spermiation is the process by which mature spermatids are released from Sertoli cells into the seminiferous tubule lumen prior to their passage to the epididymis.''

When did the spermatids got attached/associated to Sertoli cells that during spermiation they were released from the sertoli cells?

Expert's answer

In fact, spermatogonia are already attached to the Sertoli cells. There is an actin based adherence junction between them, which is preserved for all the stages of spermatogonia development. All the cells formed from it later, including spermatids, preserve the junction with Sertoli cells. Even the mature spermatids are attached to Sertoli cells while they are in testes. You can read more about the junction between Sertoli cells and spermatids in the article by the following link: DOI: 10.2164/jandrol.04142