Spatial and Temporal Changes in Testis Morphology and Sperm Ultrastructure of the Sportfish Sauger (Sander canadensis)

The objective of this study was to assess testicular morphology and spermatozoal structure spatially within the reproductive tract and temporally among seasons in the sauger (Sander canadensis). The testis exists as two separate lobes joined at the urogenital pore and were characterised as unrestric...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta zoologica (Stockholm) 2023-01, Vol.104 (1), p.106-117
Main Authors: Blawut, Bryan, Wolfe, Barbara, Premanandan, Christoper, Schuenemann, Gustavo, Ludsin, Stuart A., Veeramachaneni, D. N. Rao, Coutinho da Silva, Marco A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biology
Breeding seasons
Epithelium
Fish
Flagella
Histology
Maturation
Mitochondria
Morphology
Reproductive system
Sander canadensis
Seasons
Sperm
Sperm Ultrastructure
Spermatogenesis
Spermatozoa
Temporal variations
Testes
Testis
Tubules
Ultrastructure
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Summary:The objective of this study was to assess testicular morphology and spermatozoal structure spatially within the reproductive tract and temporally among seasons in the sauger (Sander canadensis). The testis exists as two separate lobes joined at the urogenital pore and were characterised as unrestricted lobular with seminiferous tubules terminating at the ventral periphery and coalescing dorsally on the main sperm duct. Differences were observed between the pre‐breeding season (November) and breeding season (March), with every stage of spermatogenesis occurring in spermatocysts in pre‐breeding season in contrast to only spermatozoa being present in the tubules and main duct during the breeding season. Longitudinal folds in the main duct epithelium increased in number with increasing proximity to the urogenital pore, greatly increasing epithelial height regardless of season. Sauger spermatozoa consisted of an ovoid head, a midpiece containing 2 – 4 mitochondria incorporated into the head and a single flagellum containing an asymmetrical lateral ribbon. Motile spermatozoa were found throughout the testis during the breeding season. A decrease in sperm concentration was quantified moving proximally, suggesting a hydration effect by the main duct epithelium during the breeding season. These observations fill an important knowledge gap regarding reproductive biology of this impactful recreational fish species.
ISSN:0001-7272
1463-6395
DOI:10.1111/azo.12399