Tabular comparison of spermatogenesis and oogenesis
A tabular comparison of spermatogenesis and oogenesis furnishes evidence for major differences in the timing of production, number and size of gametes.
| Spermatogenesis | Oogenesis |
| Number of gametes | |
| Principle: continuous production. Although from puberty to old age sperm cells are constantly being engendered, the production is subject to extreme fluctuations regarding both quantity and quality. |
Principle: Using up the oocytes generated before birth. Continual decrease of the oocytes, beginning with the fetal period. Exhaustion of the supply at menopause. |
| Meiotic output | |
| Four functioning, small, motile spermatozoids at the end of the meiosis | One large, immotile oocyte and three shriveled polar bodies are left at the end of the meiosis |
| Fetal period | |
| No meiotic divisions. | Entering into meiosis (arrested in the dictyotene stage) |
| No germ cell production. | Production of the entire supply of germ cells. |