1. A female germ cell or egg cell in various stages of maturation, particularly in animals. It is the cell from which an ovum (mature egg) develops through meiosis.
The primary oocyte is arrested in prophase I of meiosis until puberty.
O oócito primário fica preso em prófase I da meiose até a puberdade.
2. In biology and reproductive medicine, the cell found in the ovary that develops into an egg suitable for fertilization.
The oocyte is retrieved during in vitro fertilization procedures.
O oócito é recuperado durante procedimentos de fertilização in vitro.