Testis. Light micrograph of a transverse section through a testis from a rat (Rattus sp.) showing a seminiferous tubule. The seminiferous tubules are

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Testis. Light micrograph of a transverse section through a testis from a rat (Rattus sp.) showing a seminiferous tubule. The seminiferous tubules are the site of sperm production (spermatogenesis). Mature sperm cells can be seen closest to the tubule's lumen (white, centre), with their tails protruding into the lumen. Moving away from the lumen are increasingly immature precursor cells; first spermatids, then spermatocytes and finally spermatogonia. The outermost cells are sertoli cells, which nourish the maturing sperm. Magnification: x138 when printed at 10 centimetres tall.

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Size: 5315px × 3543px
Photo credit: © DR KEITH WHEELER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, biological, biology, healthy, histological, histology, light, micrograph, microscope, normal, production, rat, rattus, section, sectioned, seminiferous, sp, sperm, spermatids, spermatocytes, spermatogenesis, spermatogonia, spermatozoan, spermatozoon, testes, testicle, testis, tubule