Meiosis in an oocyte

Second meiotic metaphase in a mouse oocyte. The DNA is stained blue and is condensed into metaphase chromosomes in the oocyte (lower right). These chromosomes will separate into the mature egg and the second polar body. The condensed DNA at the top shows the location of the first polar body which will not divide again and will eventually degenerate. Biomedical Image Awards 2005.