oocyte

[ oh-uh-sahyt ]

noun

, Cell Biology.

1. an immature egg cell of the animal ovary; in humans, one oocyte matures during the menstrual cycle, becoming an ootid and then an ovum, while several others partially mature and then disintegrate.

oocyte

/ ˈəʊəˌsaɪt /

noun

1. an immature female germ cell that gives rise to an ovum after two meiotic divisions

oocyte

/ ō′ə-sīt′ /

1. A diploid cell that undergoes meiosis to form eggs.

Word History and Origins

Origin of oocyte¹

First recorded in 1890–95; oo- + -cyte

Example Sentences

The idea of maturing oocytes in the ovary to produce offspring has been implemented in various ways.

From Science Daily

While SAS1B is found inside female reproductive cells called oocytes, it is also found on the surface of many different solid cancer cells, Slingluff's new research verifies.

From Science Daily

But oocytes are not like the other cells.

From Science Daily

As a final step, the group studied oocytes obtained through hormonal stimulation and through natural cycle, to determine whether hormonal stimulation was harmful.

From Science Daily

The scientists microscopically analyzed fertilized ascidian oocytes and realized that they were following very reproducible changes in cell shape leading up to the formation of the contraction pole.

From Science Daily