Testicular structure and spermatogenesis of short mackerel, Rastrelliger brachysoma (Bleeker, 1851) in Upper Gulf of Thailand

Abstract

Testicular structure and spermatogenesis of short mackerel, Rastrelliger brachysoma (Bleeker, 1851) (Teleostei: Scombridae) was first investigated. The testicular parenchyma was a lobular organ, which was classified as an unrestricted spermatogonial type. The classification of spermatogenetic stage could be classified into six stages based on the pattern of chromatin condensation and other characterizations at the light microscopic level. These six stages included the primary and secondary spermatogonium, primary and secondary spermatocyte, spermatid and spermatozoon. The spermatogenesis could also be classified into another four stages based on the nuclear and cytoplasmic characterizations at the ultrastructural level. Spermatogonium was the early germ cell. It underwent a series of mitotic division to reach the primary spermatocyte. Secondary spermatocyte was shown as the heterochromatin surrounding the nuclear membrane, which was rarely seen within seminiferous lobules. Stages during the spermatids differentiation comprised of the early, intermediate and late stages which are under the degree/change of chromatin condensation. Finally, the spermatozoon was revealed as the aquasperm primitive type. It was composed of an oval head without an acrosome, a short mid-piece consisting of two basal bodies (proximal and distal centrioles) and a long flagella tail without lateral fins. The axonemes of classical form with 9+2 microtubules were presented in the flagellum.