Histological validation of gonadal macroscopic staging criteria for Labeo cylindricus (Pisces: Cyprinidae)

Abstract

Histological examination of gametogenesis revealed that the current staging criteria used to assess gonadal recrudescence of the redeye labeo, Labeo cylindricus, were adequate. Gametogenesis was qualitatively similar to thatof freshwater teleosts with a clearly defined seasonal reproductive cycle. L. cylindricus undergoes seasonal gross morphological and cytological gonadal changes with previtellogenesis dominating during the winter, vitellogenicdevelopment during spring and summer culminating in large-scale spawning at the end of summer. Post-spawning mass atresiaofoocytes was evident in autumn. The histological data presented support macroscopical evidence that L. cylindricus is a synchronous iteroparous spawner, reproducing over a short period each year throughout its life-span.