Abi-ayad Sidi-Mohammed El-Amine

• Biodiversity Journal, 2 (3): 107-114

  Abi-ayad Sidi-Mohammed El-Amine, Bensahla Talet Ahmed, Ali Mehidi Smaïl, Dalouche Fatiha & Meliani Fethia Meriem
  Some aspects on the reproductive cycle of European conger eel, Conger conger (Linnaeus, 1758) (Osteichthyes, Anguilliformes, Congridae) captured from Western Algerian coasts: a histological description of spermatogenesis

  ABSTRACT
  The aim of this work was to study the annual reproductive cycle of European conger eel (Conger conger, Linnaeus, 1758) through analysis and description of spermatogenesis. A sample of 168 males was captured between September 2008 and August 2009 from the Western coast of Algeria, from Béni Saf. Fish length and weight varied between 26.20-112 cm and 0.45-3.44 kg, respectively.
  Condition factors (K), gonadosomatic index (G.S.I.) and hepatosomatic index (H.S.I.) were calculated monthly. Factor K reached the minimum in August/September (0.10%) corresponding to reproductive period and a maximum in January (0.18%). Although G.S.I. values revealed to be statistically not significant, there were two peaks for G.S.I., the first in March, denoting the beginning of spermatogenesis, and the second in August/September, indicating the reproduction period. H.S.I. reached a peak in December (1.90%), then the value decreased to a minimum in April.
  Histological analysis of testis allowed us to distinguish 5 stages summarized as follows: Stage 1: Spermatogonia A; Stage 2: Spermatogonia B; Stage 3: Spermatocytes and spermatids; Stage 4: Spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa (cytodifferentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa); Stage 5: Spermatozoa (spermiogenesis or cytodifferentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa).

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