Numbering the second build in as many weeks, Apple has distributed a new development release of its upcoming Mac OS X 10.5.5 operating system.

The new build, labeled 9F9, is intended as a maintenance and security released.

Since its distribution, the company has implemented 24 additional code corrections to bring the expected number of bug fixes to more than 100 according to AppleInsider.

Among the more notable resolutions were fixes to Address Book printing, out-of-order replies and display problems with Mail.app IMAP accounts, and syncing issues with both Address Book and iCal.

Sources close to the story have stated that Apple is using the 9F9 build to broaden developers' focus area from 18 core system components to 24 with additions from last week's build now including additional attention being paid to Directory Services, Fonts, mDNSResponder, Screen Sharing and X11 functionality.

Unlike the previous build, however, Apple is no longer advising developers to abstain from installing the pre-release software on Macs that include integrated graphics cards.

Mac OS X 10.5.5 is expected to be released in October, at which point it is expected to ship with support for a new generation of Macs that will include redesigned MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook models.

If you've gotten your hands on the build or want to offer an opinion, let us know in the comments or forums.