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Definition

noun, plural: secondary oocytes

The resulting oocyte when meiosis I is completed, and gives rise to ootid and ovum (egg cell) upon the completion of meiosis II.

Supplement

In humans, the secondary oocytes are produced when the primary oocytes complete meiosis I. The second phase of meiosis (meiosis II) follows through but only partially. The secondary oocytes will be halted at the stage of metaphase II of meiosis II until fertilization takes place. Thus, when a sperm cell fertilizes the female sex cell the secondary oocyte rapidly completes the remaining stages of meiosis II, giving rise to an ootid and an ovum, which the sperm cell unites with.

See also: primary oocyte