HISTOLOGICAL STUDY OF SPERMATOGENESIS OF CAPTIVE MUD EEL (Monopterus cuchia) TOWARDS IDENTIFICATION OF BREEDING SEASON

Abstract

In order to identify the processes of spermatogenesis and to identify the peak breeding season towards furnishing guidelines for induced breeding of an endangered fish species mud eel (Monopterus cuchia), an investigation was conducted for one year (January 2015 to December 2015) at the Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. Samples of mud eel were collected from haor and beel areas of Mymensingh and Netrokona districts. The investigations were included the observation of month-wise maturation of testis, determination of the peak breeding season, identification of the process of spermatogenesis and furnish guideline for conservation of this endangered fish species. Histological observation of testis was observed presence of Spermatogonia (SG), Spermatocyte (SC), Spermatid (SD), Spermatozoa (SZ) stages of spermatogenesis during samples from different seasons. In this study, the mature stages of spermatogenesis Spermatid (SD) and Spermatozoa (SZ) were found from April to June samples of testis, indicating the breeding season of M. cuchia. These mature stages were occurred high in proportion during late April to mid May samples indicating peak breeding season of this fish. The testis was contained developing stages Spermatogonia (SG), Spermatocyte (SC) and empty lumen from July to February, indicating spent and resting phases of testis during these months. It is expected that the preliminary information generated on the spermatogenesis of M. cuchia can serve as the base line information for further research on this fish with an aim of establishing the package of induced breeding and to manage and conserve from the endangered condition. This study provides the first detailed information about spermatogenesis of M. cuchia of Bangladesh. It is implied that the information of this study can potentially be used for bringing a new high priced fish into aquaculture for supporting export earnings of the country in future.