PRONUCLEUSES
PRONUCLEUS
Pro*nu"cle*us, n.; pl. Pronuclei (-i). Etym: [NL. See Pro-, and
Nucleus.] (Biol.)
Definition: One of the two bodies or nuclei (called male and female
pronuclei) which unite to form the first segmentation nucleus of an
impregnated ovum.
Note: In the maturing of the ovum preparatory to impregnation, a part
of the germinal vesicle (see Polar body, under Polar) becomes
converted into a number of small vesicles, which aggregate themselves
into a single clear nucleus. which travels towards the center of the
egg and is called the female pronucleus. In impregnation, the
spermatozoön which enters the egg soon loses its tail, while the head
forms a nucleus, called the male pronucleus, which gradually travels
towards the female pronucleus and eventually fuses with it, forming
the first segmentation nucleus.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition