Spermatids and sperm cells are both stages in the process of sperm development, but they represent different points in that process. Spermatids are the immature forms of sperm that result from meiosis, a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half. These spermatids have not yet developed the characteristic features of mature sperm cells, which include the head, midpiece, and tail necessary for mobility and fertilization.
The transformation of spermatids into mature sperm cells is referred to as ‘spermiogenesis.’ During this process, spermatids undergo significant morphological changes, including the development of their flagella (the tail), condensation of their nuclear material, and loss of excess cytoplasm. This transformation is crucial as it prepares the cells for their role in reproduction, allowing them to travel through the female reproductive tract to reach and fertilize the ovum.