Oocyte | |
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Identifiers | |
MeSH | D009865 |
FMA | 18644 |
Anatomical terminology |
An oocyte (UK: /ˈoʊəsaɪt/, US: /ˈoʊoʊ-/), oöcyte, or 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 a female fetus in the ovary during female gametogenesis. The female germ cells produce a primordial germ cell (PGC), which then undergoes mitosis, forming oogonia. During oogenesis, the oogonia become primary oocytes. An oocyte is a form of genetic material that can be collected for cryoconservation.