What is meiosis called in males?

In males, the process of meiosis is specifically referred to as spermatogenesis. This is the developmental process by which sperm cells are produced. During spermatogenesis, diploid precursor cells undergo two rounds of cell division, ultimately resulting in four haploid sperm cells, which are capable of fertilization.

Spermatogenesis begins in the testes and involves several key stages, including the proliferation of spermatogonia, the meiotic division into secondary spermatocytes, and the subsequent formation of spermatids, which then mature into spermatozoa. This process is critical for sexual reproduction in males as it not only reduces the chromosome number in the gametes (sperm) but also ensures genetic diversity through recombination and independent assortment.

In contrast, oogenesis is the process of meiosis in females, leading to the formation of eggs. Gamete formation is a more general term that encompasses both spermatogenesis and oogenesis, while cytokinesis refers specifically to the division of the cytoplasm during cell division, not a specific reproductive process. Thus, spermatogenesis precisely describes the male-specific process of meiosis.