Spermatogenesis takes place within several structures of the male reproductive system. The initial stages occur within the testes and progress to the epididymis where the developing gametes mature and are stored until ejaculation. The seminiferous tubules of the testes are the starting point for the process, where spermatogonial stem cells adjacent to the inner tubule wall divide in a centripetal direction -- beginning at the walls and proceeding into the innermost part, or lumen -- to produce immature sperm. Maturation occurs in the epididymis. The location (Testes / Scrotum) is specifically important as the process of spermatogenesis requires a lower temperature to produce viable sperm, specifically 1 ° - 8 ° C lower than normal body temperature of 37 ° C (98.6 ° F). Clinically, small fluctuations in temperature such as from an athletic support strap, causes no impairment in sperm viability or count.
where does final maturation of a sperm cell occur
epididymis epididymis