20 Huge Difference between Oogenesis and Spermatogenesis in Tabular Form

What is the difference between oogenesis and spermatogenesis?

Oogenesis and spermatogenesis are two types of gametogenesis that normally take place in the male and female reproductive cells.

The article provides a comprehensive guide on the difference between oogenesis and spermatogenesis in point and tabular form.

Difference between Oogenesis and Spermatogenesis

What Is Oogenesis?

Oogenesis is the process of the formation of mature female gametes from oogonia in the ovary. The process normally takes place in three phases such as multiplication, growth, and maturation.

The process results in the formation of a diploid cell that undergoes meiosis to result in a single ovum. The process tends to occur once during puberty and menopause.

What Is Spermatogenesis?

Spermatogenesis is the process that results in the formation of sperms and it normally occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testes.

Generally, the process results in the formation of spermatids and spermatozoa. The type of cell division that facilitates the process is known as meiosis.

Comparison Chart: Oogenesis vs Spermatogenesis 

Basic Terms Oogenesis Spermatogenesis
Definition It is the process of the production of mature female gametes from oogonia. It is the process of production of sperms from spermatogonia
Location Ovaries of the female Testes of the male
Stages All the stages except the last stage occur inside the ovary All stages occur inside testes.
Releasing Oocytes are released from the ovary Sperms are released from the testes
Continuity Ovum produced once per month until menopause The continuous process from puberty until death
Spermatogonia/Oogonia Develop from the germinal epithelium which is an overlay of the ovary. Develop from the germinal epithelial lining of the seminiferous tubules.
Sertoli Cells Found in the germinal cell epithelium. Found in the germinal cell epithelium.
Cell Division Some of the oogonia divide during the production of eggs one at a time All spermatogonia are divided by meiosis all the times
Growth Phase Tend to be prolonged in oogonia. Tend to be too short in spermatogonia
Primary Gametocyte The primary oocyte is divided by meiosis 1 resulting in a secondary oocyte and one polar body. Primary spermatocyte is divided by meiosis 1 which later forms two secondary spermatocytes.
Secondary Gametocyte The secondary oocyte is divided by meiosis 2 resulting in an ovum and one polar body. Secondary spermatocyte is divided by meiosis 2 resulting in two spermatids.
Cytokinesis Unequal cytokinesis occurs during oogenesis, ultimately producing a single ovum and three polar bodies. Equal cytokinesis occurs during spermatogenesis, ultimately producing four sperms.
Result One oocyte produces only one ovum. One spermatocyte produces four spermatozoa
Size Ovum is larger than the oocyte Sperms are smaller than spermatocyte.
Nucleus No nuclear condensation is found in the ovum. Nucleus undergoes condensation in the sperm.
Food Reservation A lot of food and biochemicals are reserved in the ovum. Little food is reserved in the sperm.
Motility Produces non-motile gametes. Produces motile gametes.
Differentiation of Cells Some of the cells of germinal epithelium function as support also referred to as Sertoli cells. No differentiation of cells
Products of Meiosis II Secondary spermatocyte divides by meiosis II to produce two spermatids. Secondary oocyte divides by meiosis II to form one ovum and one polar body. 
Reproduction To take part in reproduction, the spermatids have to transform into thread-like sperms by the process of spermiogenesis. Ootids as such take part in reproduction. 

Core Difference Between Oogenesis and Spermatogenesis

  1. Oogenesis is the production of mature female gametes from oogonia inside the ovary while spermatogenesis is the production of sperms from spermatogonia in the seminiferous tubules of the testis.
  2. Oogenesis is a discontinuous process that occurs after puberty till menopause while spermatogenesis is a continuous process that occurs from puberty to puberty till death.
  3. All the stages of oogenesis occur inside the ovaries except the last stage while all stages of spermatogenesis occur inside the testis.
  4. Oogenesis, oocytes release from the ovary which develops later whereas spermatogenesis, sperms release out from the testis.
  5. Spermatogenesis results in four motile male gametes from Spermatogonium and oogenesis results into a single non-motile female gamete (ovum) from an Oogonium.

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Comparison Video: Oogenesis vs Spermatogenesis

Conclusion

Both spermatogenesis and oogenesis are reproductive processes. They normally occur in three phases such as multiplication, growth, and differentiation.

Understanding the core difference between oogenesis and spermatogenesis is quite important when studying human reproduction processes.

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