Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
vitellogenesis

vitellogenesis

1 9.9
A process in which animals produce and store yolk inside their developing eggs
  • noun
  • /vaɪˌtɛləˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/
  • Specialized
: vitelogénesis
  • During the research study, scientists analyzed the process of vitellogenesis to understand how yolk is formed in developing eggs.

Examples

  • Thus, recruitment of shell glands in the uterus occurs before pregnancy, during the follicular growth phase (vitellogenesis), rather than during pregnancy.

    Academic text (1993)

  • Understanding vitellogenesis helps researchers improve reproductive techniques in poultry farming.

  • The biologist explained that vitellogenesis is crucial for providing nutrients to embryos in various species of birds.

Surface Forms

vitellogenesis singular
vitellogeneses plural

Morphology

vitellogenesis = genesis (semi-transparent) = vitello + genesis

The structure is recognizable as 'vitello-' plus 'genesis', but the term is a specialized scientific formation rather than an everyday transparent combination.

Etymology

The word vitellogenesis comes from the Latin vitellus, meaning 'yolk', and the Greek suffix -genesis, like in generate, meaning 'creation' or 'birth'. So vitellogenesis is the process of making and storing yolk in developing eggs.