Categories
vol-16SEASONAL HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE TESTES OF THE MARINE
TELEOST FISH (TRACHURUS MEDITERRANEUS S.)
S.H. ABDEL AZIZ* M.M El-Gharabawy**
* Faculty of science, Alexandria University, Egypt.
** National Institute of oceanography and Fisheries,
Alexandria.
ABSTRACT
The survey of the gonadal anatomy and histology has
revealed the occurrence of five developmental stages in the
testis of the fish Trachurus .editerraneus including; 1:
Maturing stage (late February to early March); 2:
Prespawning stage (late Harch to April); 3: Spawning stage
(late April to early June); and 4: Post spawning stage (J~e
to July) and 5: Resting stage (August to February). ~’X
types of spermatogenic cells could be demonstrated durl~g
spermatogenesis’ Germ cells and spermatogonia are present In
the peripheral zone of the seminiferous lobules. the ~ole
year-round being greatly reduced during the breedIng perIod.
At the beginning of the spawning season, a complex of
seminiferous lobules, which open into the spermatic duct,
is formed. Spermatogenesis proceeds within these lobules,
which are devided into temporary cysts. The presence of
interstitial and lobule boundary cells in the testes of
Trachurus .editerraneus were observed.
Data on GSI, frequency of the various speramatogenic
stages and histomorphology of the testes, analyzed on a
monthly basis, indicate seasonal reproductive cycle for this
fish.
