Q.What is spermiation?

[!TLDR]

Spermiation is the release of fully formed, mature sperm from the Sertoli cells into the lumen of the seminiferous tubule.

[!ANSWER]

Spermiation is the release of mature spermatozoa from the Sertoli cells into the seminiferous tubule lumen.

After spermiogenesis is complete, the newly formed spermatozoa are still attached to the Sertoli cells lining the tubule. Spermiation is the final step in which these mature sperm are released from this attachment into the fluid-filled lumen of the seminiferous tubule, from where the tubule fluid carries them onward into the rete testis and then the epididymis for further maturation and storage.

[!ANSWER]

Spermiation is the release of mature spermatozoa from the Sertoli cells into the seminiferous tubule lumen.

Recall spermiation as the very last step of spermatogenesis -- release of the finished sperm into the lumen -- distinguishing it from spermiogenesis (the structural remodelling that precedes it).

Confusing spermiation (release of already-mature sperm into the tubule lumen) with ejaculation (expulsion of semen from the body) -- these occur at very different times and different locations.