Open AccessThe Annual Reproductive Cycle of the White Bass Morone chrysops
Author(s) -
Berlinsky David L.,
Jackson Leslie F.,
Smith Theodore I. J.,
Sullivan Craig V.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of the world aquaculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0893-8849
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.1995.tb00253.x
Subject(s) - biology , vitellogenin , vitellogenesis , endocrinology , medicine , sexual maturity , bass (fish) , oocyte , androgen , development of the gonads , gonad , yolk , ovulation , hormone , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , embryo
The gametogenic cycle of the white bass Moronc chrysops was characterized for one year at monthly intervals by measuring circulating levels of the sex steroid hormones testosterone (T) and 11‐ketotestosterone (11‐KT) in males, and 17β‐estradiol (E 2 ) and T in females. Vitellogenin (VTG), the egg yolk precursor, was also measured in female blood plasma. Gonadal status of individual fish was assessed by histological evaluation, measurement of oocyte diameters, and spermintion response. At the onset of vitellogenesis (October), blood plasma levels of E 2 and T were low, but increased significantly as the spawning period (March‐April) approached and oocytes attnined their maximum diameter. All stages of oocyte development were observed in mature females, indicating that the white bass is a multiple‐clutch, groupsynchronous spawner. Androgen levels increased in males throughout the reproductive cycle and reached maximal levels during the spawning period. The increase in androgens coincided with sperm production and spermintion in males. The circannual endocrine and gonadal development patterns observed in white bass were similar to those of other members of genus Moronc .