Abnormal oogenesis in barfin plaice Pleuronectes pinnifasciatus from the Amursky Bay of the Sea of Japan

Deformed previtellogenic oocytes, oocytes with incomplete cytoplasm vacuolization, and, 2–2.5 month prior to the spawning season, vitellogenic oocytes with sites of homogenized yolk have been revealed during oogenesis of barfin plaice Pleuronectes pinnifasciatus living in the Amursky Bay, one of the most polluted areas in Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan. The early onset of yolk homogenization can point to the forthcoming resorption of oocytes in the plaice during the spawning season. The number of oocytes with such developmental abnormalities varied among females.