Germ cells
Germ cells are special cells in the human body that are necessary for reproduction. There are two types of germ cells: sperm cells in men and egg cells in women. Their most important task is to combine during fertilization and thus enable the beginning of a new life – i.e. an embryo.
In contrast to most other body cells, germ cells only contain half of the human genetic material (i.e. 23 chromosomes each instead of 46). When a sperm fertilizes an egg, the two cell nuclei fuse. This creates a new cell with complete genetic material – the first cell of a child.
The formation of germ cells is controlled by certain hormones:
- In men, sperm mature in the testicles, and do so constantly, from around puberty until old age.
- In women, the eggs mature in the ovaries. This also begins at puberty, but the number of eggs is limited from birth.
This content is for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations. It is in no way a substitute for a professional examination or treatment by a licensed physician. If you have any health complaints or uncertainties, please always consult a medical professional – especially if you have any questions about intimate surgery or sexual health.
