Seasonal anatomical variations in the testes of European pike, Esox lucius L. |
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| Authors: | R Hoffmann P Wondrak W Groth |
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| Institution: | Animal Health Service in Bavaria, D-8011 Grub bei Munchen, West Germany;Institute of Animal Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, D-8050 Freising, West Germany |
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| Abstract: | The seasonal development of the testes in European pike was examined using wild fish and biopsies from pike housed in tanks. The size of the tubules and the different cell types were measured and their histological appearance described. Four stages of development can be distinguished during the annual cycle. They are: (I) the stage of rest from June to August; (II) the stage of development from September to November with intensive spermatogenesis; (III) the stage of maturity from December to March/April with spermatogenesis completed; and (IV) the post-spawning stage from March to May. |
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