oocyte axis specification oocyte animal/vegetal axis specification dph GO:0060832 2009-08-11T03:11:06Z biological_process The establishment, maintenance and elaboration of the animal/vegetal axis in the oocyte. The animal/vegetal axis of an oocyte is defined by the placement of the nucleus in the oocyte and can sometimes be identified by the asymmetric placement of other substances such as yolk in the oocyte. The pole of the egg that is closest to the nucleus defines the animal end, with the axis passing through the nucleus.