diplotene /dip″lətēn/ [Gk, diploos + tainia, ribbon] , the fourth stage in the first meiotic prophase in gametogenesis, in which chiasmata form between the chromatids of paired homologous chromosomes and crossing over occurs. The chromosomes then begin to repel each other and separate longitudinally, forming loops. See also diakinesis, leptotene, pachytene, zygotene.
