<P> The spermatid is the haploid male gametid that results from division of secondary spermatocytes . As a result of meiosis, each spermatid contains only half of the genetic material present in the original primary spermatocyte . </P> <P> Spermatids are connected by cytoplasmic material and have superfluous cytoplasmic material around their nuclei . </P> <P> When formed, early round spermatids must undergo further maturational events to develop into spermatozoa, a process termed spermiogenesis (also termed spermeteliosis). </P> <P> The spermatids begin to grow a living thread, develop a thickened mid-piece where the mitochondria become localised, and form an acrosome . Spermatid DNA also undergoes packaging, becoming highly condensed . The DNA is packaged firstly with specific nuclear basic proteins, which are subsequently replaced with protamines during spermatid elongation . The resultant tightly packed chromatin is transcriptionally inactive . </P>

Spermatids mature into spermatozoa by the process of