Sperm: The One and Only Winner

Spermatozoa are male reproductive cells that play an important role in the process of fertilization. They are formed in the convoluted tubules of the testes from cells called spermatogonia as a result of the process of spermatogenesis, which includes four successive periods.

The first period is the period of reproduction, when the cells of the reproductive germ multiply mitotically and form spermatogonia with 46 chromosomes. The second period is the period of growth, when spermatogonia increase in size and first order spermatocytes appear, still with 46 chromosomes. The third period is the maturation period when spermatocytes undergo meiotic division and then a second mitosis, forming four spermatids with 23 chromosomes. The fourth period is the period of differentiation, or sperm formation, when each spermatid turns into a real sperm, ready to fertilize the egg.

Sperm have a unique shape consisting of a head, body and tail. The head contains enzymes that help penetrate the egg. The body consists of two centrioles at each end, an axial central cord and a number of mitochondria that envelop it and provide energy for the movement of the tail. The axial flagellum of the tail has a double shell, the whipping movement of which ensures the movement of the sperm.

The number of sperm released with each ejaculation of semen can reach 350 million per 1 cm3. However, to fertilize the egg, only one of them must reach the goal, and to do this he has to travel a long distance of 10 cm to the fallopian tubes at a speed of 4 mm per minute.

Thus, sperm are the only winners in the competition to fertilize the egg. They go through a difficult path to achieve their goal and play an important role in the possibility of the birth of a new life.