Samples of Metapenaeus affinis were collected from the Iraqi coastal waters between January 1 and December 1, 2021, to investigate the development of sexual maturity. Seasonal variations in gonadal function were observed in males, with peak rates (0.052) recorded in summer and the lowest rates (0.024) in winter. In females, the highest rates (0.979) occurred in spring, while the lowest (0.549) was in winter. Liver function development correlated with stages of sexual maturity. In males, liver function was highest (0.234) in winter and lowest (0.108) in spring. For females, the highest liver function (0.404) was observed in the fall, and the lowest (0.265) in the summer. The physical condition index is also aligned with sexual maturity stages. In males, the highest values (13.789) were recorded in summer and the lowest (8.697) in spring. For females, the index peaked (9.499) in fall and was at its lowest (8.925) in winter. This study revealed that the shrimp has a broad reproductive cycle. Statistical analyses showed that for females, the condition factor and liver function did not vary significantly across seasons. However, gonadal function showed significant differences between spring and other seasons, with no significant differences between the remaining seasons. In males, the condition factor exhibited significant differences between summer and other seasons, while no significant differences were found among the remaining seasons. Liver function showed significant variation between winter and other seasons, with no differences among the rest. Regarding reproductive function, there were significant differences between spring, summer, and fall, which showed no differences among themselves.
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