Reproduction and Development in Some Genera of Pipefish and Seahorses of the Family Syngnathidae

The members of the family Syngnathidae stand out among the bony fish for their specific parental care: the male bear embryos in a particular brood chamber or pouch. The physiological role of the latter is discussed in the literature in detail. The pouch is rather multifunctional; its osmoregulatory function is the most well studied. The unusual parental care supposes that some specific features should exist in the reproduction biology and development in these fish. This idea is supported by detailed studies of the ovaries and oogenesis in pipefish. On the other hand, the structure of the testes and specific features of spermatogenesis in the representatives of the family Syngnathidae remain poorly studied. The interest in the reproduction and development of pipefish is also determined, to a certain degree, by the fact that in the countries of Southeast Asia seahorses are objects of fishing and are used as a source of pharmacological materials comprising active compounds. Attempts to cultivate these fish have also been undertaken in these countries [13].