'sperm-generating' is a modern English compound combining 'sperm' (from Greek 'sperma', where 'sperma' meant 'seed') and 'generate' (from Latin 'generare', where 'generare' meant 'to beget, produce').

'sperm' entered scientific English via Latin/New Latin from Greek 'sperma', while 'generate' came into English from Latin 'generare' (via Old French/Middle English); the compound form 'sperm-generating' is a straightforward modern English formation using the noun + present-participle pattern.

Initially the roots referred to 'seed' (for 'sperm') and 'to beget or produce' (for 'generate'); combined in modern usage they specifically denote 'producing sperm' or relating to spermatogenesis.