What is "gonocyte"

n. (context biology English) A long-lived germ cell responsible for spermatogenesis in males and oogenesis in females.

Gonocyte is a term created in 1957 by scientists Yves Clermont and Bernard Perey. Gonocytes relate to both fetal and neonatal germ cells from the point at which they enter the testis primordia until they reach the base membrane at the seminiferous cords and differentiate. It is responsible for gametogenesis, which is spermatogenesis in males and oogenesis in females. Gonocytes include gametogonia (spermatogonia and oogonia), oocytes, ootids, and ova. The overall structures of fetal and postnatal gonocytes are described as large and spherical, with a prominent nucleus and two nucleoli.