oocyst

American  

[oh-uh-sist] / ˈoʊ əˌsɪst /

noun

Biology.

1. the encysted zygotic stage in the life cycle of some sporozoans.

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oocyst British  

/ ˈəʊəˌsɪst /

noun

1. an encysted zygote of sporozoan protozoans that undergoes sporogony to produce infective sporozoites

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Etymology

Origin of oocyst

First recorded in 1870–75; oo- + -cyst

Example Sentences

When a host—humans included—consumes an oocyst, the spores are released and spread into the brain and muscles, forming new cysts.

From Science Magazine

Only in the feline gut can it reproduce sexually and assume a hardy, infectious form called an oocyst, which gets excreted to infect more animals.

From Science Magazine

Accidental ingestion or inhalation of an oocyst causes infection, and a growing body of evidence consistently points to widespread environmental contamination with T. gondii from free-roaming cats.

From Washington Post

It lurks in a protected form called an oocyst.

From Slate

When a swimmer swallows the oocyst, the parasite pops out and squirms into the cells lining his or her gut, where it multiplies.

From Slate