The steps in the process of meiosis involving the germline to produce ova and spermatozoa are as follows:

Component	Features
Interphase I	At the beginning of meiosis I, the cell begins to synthesize RNA and proteins, then DNA replication occurs to double the amount of DNA, then repair of the DNA takes place
Prophase I	Chromatin condenses and the homologous chromosomes pair in synapsis, becoming bivalents; chiasmata form and crossing over occurs between chromatids; the nuclear membrane disappears and a spindle form in the cytoplasm
Metaphase I	Spindle formation is complete and the bivalents align in the equatorial plane, with the two centromeres of each bivalent on opposite sides
Anaphase I	The chiasmata disappear, the centromeres do not split, and the spindle fibers pull homologous chromosomes to opposite poles of the cell
Telophase I	A haploid number of chromosomes, each with two sister chromatids, reaches each pole, the nuclear membrane forms, and cytokinesis occurs, yielding two daughter cells; in females, one daughter cell becomes a polar body and degenerates
Interphase II	In this brief phase at the beginning of meiosis II, no DNA is duplicated
Prophase II	The chromatin thickens, the nuclear membrane disappears, and a spindle is formed in the cytoplasm <
Metaphase II	The chromosomes align on the equatorial plane of the spindle, with a sister chromatid on each side
Anaphase II	The centromeres split and a single chromatid of each chromosome is drawn to an opposite pole of the cell
Telophase II	The chromatids reach opposite poles of the cell, nuclear membranes form, and cytokinesis occurs, yielding two daughter cells with a haploid set of 23 chromosomes; in females, on daughter cell becomes a polar body and degenerates

In the ovaries, the cells undergoing meiosis do not divide equally. At the end of telophase I, one daughter cell is left with little cytoplasm and forms a "polar body" that degenerates (or sometimes undergoes the second stage of meiosis). At the end of telophase II, another polar body is formed. Thus, meiosis in the female yields one ovum and two or three polar bodies. Meiosis in the male yields four functional spermatozoa.

The oocytes in the ovaries are formed prior to birth, and are in a holding pattern in prophase I until ovulation commences following puberty. Meiosis I is completed following ovulation. Meiosis II begins only if the oocyte is fertilized by a sperm. Polar bodies should degenerate, but rarely do not.

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