3.8 GAMETOGENESIS Development of male and female gametes Oogenesis ‐ meiosis in females ¾ Production of eggs in the ovary ¾ The primary oocyte goes through meiosis I forming a large secondary oocyte and a small polar body ¾ These 2 cells continue going through meiosis II with unequal cytokinesis forming one ootid and 3 polar bodies ¾ The ootid develops into the mature ovum and the 3 polar bodies die off ¾ Baby females are born with about 2 million primary oocytes ( suspended in Prophase I) and at puberty, one oocyte continues through meiosis to form 1 mature ovum. ¾ Only about 300‐ 400 oocytes actually develop in the reproductive years, the remainder are absorbed into the body ¾ Females enter menopause between 45‐55 years and meiosis ceases at this time See Diagram pg.114