A new type of spermiogenesis in teleost fish: Formation of the aflagellate sperm in Campylomormyrus compressirostris (Osteoglossomorpha: Mormyridae)

Osteoglossomorpha, the bony tongue fishes, show great variation in morphology, behavioural strategies, reproductive biology and gamete ultrastructure. The order Osteoglossiformes is the only vertebrate taxon, in which four types of sperm (monoflagellate, biflagellate and aflagellate aquasperm and the complex introsperm) have been described. It is also the only vertebrate lineage in which aflagellate spermatozoa exist. The aim of this study was to analyse the structure of the testis and the process of spermiogenesis in the mormyrid Campylomormyrus compressirostris during the breeding season using light and electron microscopy (transmission and scanning). Males of this species have a single testis of the anastomosing tubular type. The tubules of the anterior part of the testis contain cysts with developing germ cells, and this region is much wider than the posterior part, which consists of efferent ducts filled with sperm cells. The cysts are filled with single or mitotic spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocytes and early spermatids. At the stage of spermatids with fine granular chromatin, the cysts rupture and successive stages of spermatid differentiation take place in the testicular lumen; we therefore characterise this process as 'extracystic spermiogenesis'. Sperm development in C. compressirostris is extremely simple and involves chromatin condensation in the central region of the nucleus, a slight decrease in nuclear volume, the appearance of numerous vesicles in the cytoplasm that form a tubular-vesicular system at the base of the nucleus. Both centrioles and mitochondria are translocated to the peripheral region of the midpiece, which forms the opposite pole to the nucleus. There are many differences between the types of spermiogenesis described so far in teleosts and that found in C. compressirostris, including the loss of flagellum formation. This unique type of spermiogenesis is restricted to species of the families Mormyridae and Gymnarchidae, all of which possess aflagellate spermatozoa. Our data demonstrate that the spermatid differentiation and existence of the aflagellate spermatozoon are a unique phenomena not only among teleosts but also in the whole vertebrate lineage.

New directions in assisted breeding techniques for fish conservation

Fish populations continue to decline globally, signalling the need for new initiatives to conserve endangered species. Over the past two decades, with advances in our understanding of fish germ line biology, new exsitu management strategies for fish genetics and reproduction have focused on the use of germ line cells. The development of germ cell transplantation techniques for the purposes of propagating fish species, most commonly farmed species such as salmonids, has been gaining interest among conservation scientists as a means of regenerating endangered species. Previously, exsitu conservation methods in fish have been restricted to the cryopreservation of gametes or maintaining captive breeding colonies, both of which face significant challenges that have restricted their widespread implementation. However, advances in germ cell transplantation techniques have made its application in endangered species tangible. Using this approach, it is possible to preserve the genetics of fish species at any stage in their reproductive cycle regardless of sexual maturity or the limitations of brief annual spawning periods. Combining cryopreservation and germ cell transplantation will greatly expand our ability to preserve functional genetic samples from threatened species, to secure fish biodiversity and to produce new individuals to enhance or restore native populations.

Timing of oocyte recruitment within the ovulatory cycle of Macedonian shad, Alosa macedonica, a batch spawning fish with indeterminate fecundity

The recruitment of primary growth (PG) oocytes to the secondary growth (SG) phase within the ovulatory cycle, i.e. time interval between two sequential ovulation/spawning events, has rarely been examined in detail in a quantitative manner for batch spawning fishes with indeterminate fecundity. In the present study we analyzed the ovarian dynamics of Macedonian shad, Alosa macedonica, an iteroparous batch spawning clupeid with indeterminate fecundity, with the main goal to define the timing of PG recruitment and relate it to the ovulatory cycle. The latter was classified into four different phases (pre-ovulatory, running, post-ovulatory, intermediate) through postovulatory follicles and presence/absence of hydrated oocytes. Various indices of ovarian dynamics, including the formation and mean diameter of the advanced oocyte batch, the ovarian developmental stage, the oocyte size modality and the gonadosomatic index, varied among the ovulatory phases, evidencing cyclicity. Relative fecundity of newly recruited SG oocytes was used as an index of PG recruitment intensity and was shown to follow a specific pattern within the ovulatory cycle; PG recruitment occurred in a stepwise manner and in parallel with ovulation of the advanced oocyte batch, and synchronization of these two processes kept the ovary in a state of dynamic equilibrium.

Reproductive biology of the Neotropical catfish Iheringichthys labrosus (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae), with anatomical and morphometric analysis of gonadal tissues

The reproduction of Iheringichthys labrosus (Lütken, 1874) from the Turvo River, Brazil, was studied using anatomical, biometric, histological, and ultrastructural techniques. Between April 2014 and March 2015, a total of 278 males and 512 females were captured bimonthly. The testes of Iheringichthys labrosus are fringed and possess a cranial spermatogenic region and an exclusively secretory caudal region. Histologically, the cranial region is composed of seminiferous tubules with spermatogenesis being completed in cysts. The spermatozoa are of the primitive type with a spherical head and have a rudimentary intermediate piece and a long tail with an axonemic arrangement of 9 + 2. The caudal region does not form an individualized gland, and cells in this testis area have characteristics of protein secretion. A variable density electron-dense secretion accumulates in the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules and in the testicular ducts during maturation. The cortical alveoli are discontinuous, and the zona pellucida consists of three layers crossed by pore canals, and the follicular cells are squamous in the early stages of oogenesis and cuboidal in advanced stages. The gonadosomatic index was associated with the maturation of the gonads while the condition factor indicated that the fish feed less and utilize adipose reserves during the reproductive period. Males and females reproductively functional throughout the year with spawning being partial or multiple, similar to that reported in studies of the species in lentic environments.

Oocyte growth, follicular complex formation and extracellular-matrix remodeling in ovarian maturation of the imperial zebra pleco fish Hypancistrus zebra

This contribution describes the growth of oocytes, addressing the formation of structures that compose the follicular complex, as well as the remodeling of the extracellular matrix, specifically laminin, fibronectin and type IV collagen during gonadal maturation. Thirty-seven females of the Acari zebra fish, Hypancistrus zebra were captured and the ovaries were submitted to histological processing for light and electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry techniques. Oogonia and four stages (I – IV) of oocytes were distinguished, and structures such as the postovulatory follicle and atretic oocytes (initial and advanced atresia) were observed. The follicular complex consists of the mature oocyte, zona radiata (Zr1, Zr2 and Zr3), follicular cells, basement membrane and theca. During oocyte growth, proteins of the extracellular matrix showed different intensities of staining. Based on these observations, a model of oocyte growth is proposed to define specific characteristics of the oocyte and the remodeling of the extracellular matrix in the ovary of H. zebra. This model of oocyte growth can be extended to other species of ornamental fishes. This study contributes data for induced fertilization and eventual conservation of this species.