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Testicular structure and spermatogenesis of Amazonian freshwater cururu stingray Potamotrygon cf. histrix

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 August 2010

Sérgio Fonseca Zaiden*
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Rio Verde – FESURV, Campus Universitário, s/n. Rio Verde, Goiás, CEP: 75901-970. Brazil.
Richard Phillip Brinn
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Florida International University, FloridaUSA.
Jaydione Luiz Marcon
Affiliation:
Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
Elisabeth Criscuolo Urbinati
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinarian Sciences/Aquaculture Center, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castelane, s/n. Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.
*
All correspondence to: Sérgio Fonseca Zaiden. Department of Biology, University of Rio Verde – FESURV, Campus Universitário, s/n. Rio Verde, Goiás, CEP: 75901-970. Brazil. Tel: +55 64 3621-2200. Fax: +55 64 3621-2210. e-mail: sfzaiden@hotmail.com

Summary

The cururu stingray Potamotrygon cf. histrix, a new and endemic Amazonian freshwater species, presents appropriate characteristics for fish keeping and is exploited from its natural environment. The present study identified the testicular structure and spermatogenesis of this species. Gonads from adult male specimens were dissected, fixed and processed for histological analysis. The testes were of testicular/epigonial type. The presence of germinal papillae was observed in the upper portion of organ with primordial germ cells and Sertoli cell precursors. The testis was lobular with zonal organization and cystic gametogenesis, with the occurrence of spermatoblasts. The Sertoli cells underwent morphological modifications over the course of gamete formation. The spermatozoids had long heads and were spiraled on their own axis. Information on the reproductive biology will serve as basis for studies on the reproduction and phylogeny of this peculiar group of cartilaginous fish.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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