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What are male eggs called?

Published in Reproductive Biology 1 min read

Male eggs do not exist; the male reproductive cells are called sperm.

To understand why there are no male eggs, we must clarify the terminology. The correct term for the reproductive cells in organisms is 'gamete'.

Here's a table clarifying gametes:

Gamete Type Name
Female Gamete Ova or Egg Cell
Male Gamete Sperm

According to the provided reference, gametes are an organism's reproductive cells, also known as sex cells. Female gametes are indeed called ova or egg cells, while male gametes are called sperm. These gametes are haploid, meaning they carry only one copy of each chromosome.

Key Differences Between Male and Female Gametes:

  • Female Gamete (Ova/Egg): Generally larger, non-motile (cannot move on its own), and contains nutrients for the developing embryo.
  • Male Gamete (Sperm): Generally much smaller, highly motile, and primarily contributes genetic material.

Therefore, the premise of "male eggs" is incorrect. The equivalent reproductive cell in males is sperm.