Gonocyte

Overview

A gonocyte is a long-lived germ cell responsible for gametogenesis, which is spermatogenesis in males, and oogenesis in females. Gonocytes include gametogonia (spermatogonia and oogonia), oocytes, ootids, and ova.

The term often also refers to the primordial germ cells. It often does not include the short-lived spermatocyte, spermatid, or sperm cells.