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oocyte
Thursday 22 April 2004
Definition: An oocyte (ovocyte) is a female gametocyte or germ cell involved in reproduction. In other words, it is an immature ovum, or egg cell. An oocyte is produced in the ovary during female gametogenesis.
Images
Oocyte with zona pellucida
The female germ cells produce a primordial germ cell (PGC) which undergoes mitosis to form an oogonium. During oogenesis the oogonium becomes a primary oocyte.
The formation of an oocyte is called oocytogenesis, which is a part of oogenesis. Oogenesis results in the formation of both primary oocytes before birth, and of secondary oocytes after it as part of ovulation.
References
Ben-Yosef D, Shalgi R. Oocyte activation: lessons from human infertility. Trends Mol Med. 2001 Apr;7(4):163-9. PMID: 11286940