Spermatocytogenesis

Spermatocytogenesis is the male form of gametocytogenesis and involves stem cells dividing to replace themselves and to produce a population of cells destined to become mature sperm.

These cells do not directly participate in producing sperm, instead serving to maintain the supply of stem cells for spermatogenesis.

[1] Type Ap spermatogonia repeatedly divide mitotically to produce identical cell clones linked by cytoplasmic bridges (in rodents, not in primates such as humans).

When repeated division ceases, the cells differentiate into type B spermatogonia.

Type B spermatogonia undergo mitosis to produce diploid intermediate cells called primary spermatocytes.