The swordfish (Xiphias gladius] is a gonochoristic, large pelagic, top predator, and migratory fish widespread in thè Mediterranean Sea and in the Oceans. In thè present study we dealt with the seasonal testicular activity. Testis and blood samples were taken from 54 adult specimens caught from April to December by commerciai fishing vessels operating in the Gulf of Taranto. Testis samples were fixed in Bouin's solution and embedded in Paraplast. Hydrated sections (5 um thick) were stained with haematoxylin-eosin. The immunohistochemical detection of Proliferating Celi Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) was performed by anti-PCNA monoclonal antibodies (PC 10) and visualized by the avidin-bition-peroxidase complex (ABC). Plasma levels of testosterone were measured by ELISA. The histological analysis showed seasonal changes of testicular activity. Anti-PCNA immunopositive germ cells and plasma levels of testosterone increased from April to June-July, decreased in August and rose again in September-October. Previous studies on swordfish reproduction indicate a spawning period limited to late spring-early summer (June-July) (De Metrio et al. Biol. Mar. Medit., 2, 1995; Corriere et al,, It. J. Anat, Embryol, 106, 2001.). The autumnal spermatogenetic activity, evidenced in the present study, represents a new and an unexpected finding.
Seasonal changes in swordfish (Xiphias gladius L.) testicular activity
CORRIERO, Aldo;DESANTIS, Salvatore;VENTRIGLIA G;
2003-01-01
Abstract
The swordfish (Xiphias gladius] is a gonochoristic, large pelagic, top predator, and migratory fish widespread in thè Mediterranean Sea and in the Oceans. In thè present study we dealt with the seasonal testicular activity. Testis and blood samples were taken from 54 adult specimens caught from April to December by commerciai fishing vessels operating in the Gulf of Taranto. Testis samples were fixed in Bouin's solution and embedded in Paraplast. Hydrated sections (5 um thick) were stained with haematoxylin-eosin. The immunohistochemical detection of Proliferating Celi Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) was performed by anti-PCNA monoclonal antibodies (PC 10) and visualized by the avidin-bition-peroxidase complex (ABC). Plasma levels of testosterone were measured by ELISA. The histological analysis showed seasonal changes of testicular activity. Anti-PCNA immunopositive germ cells and plasma levels of testosterone increased from April to June-July, decreased in August and rose again in September-October. Previous studies on swordfish reproduction indicate a spawning period limited to late spring-early summer (June-July) (De Metrio et al. Biol. Mar. Medit., 2, 1995; Corriere et al,, It. J. Anat, Embryol, 106, 2001.). The autumnal spermatogenetic activity, evidenced in the present study, represents a new and an unexpected finding.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
