unfertilized

Unfertilized is a term used to describe an egg or ovum that has not been fertilized by a sperm. In sexual reproduction, fertilization is the fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote. An unfertilized egg generally fails to develop into an embryo and is eventually degraded by the body's normal recycling processes.

In many species, eggs are released during ovulation and only develop if a sperm penetrates the egg; without fertilization, the egg does not complete development. Some organisms can produce offspring from unfertilized eggs through parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction. Parthenogenetic cases occur in various invertebrates and vertebrates, including some insects, reptiles, and fish, though it is not common in humans.

In plants, unfertilized ovules do not form seeds; fertilization by pollen activates seed development. Unfertilized ovules may abort or remain unviable in some species.

In agriculture and food contexts, many eggs sold for consumption are unfertilized, because they are produced without mating. These eggs will not develop into embryos under ordinary storage conditions. Fertilized eggs, where hens have mated with a rooster, are rare in retail markets but may be used for hatchlings or poultry breeding.

Overall, unfertilized describes a state prior to fertilization where development will not proceed toward a new organism unless fertilization occurs.