Anatomical studies of the testes of wild African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in spawning and non-spawning seasons in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was aimed at documenting the gross and histology of testes of wild African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) during spawning and non-spawning seasons in Maiduguri. Grossly, the testes were lobulated and whitish during the spawning season; during non-spawning season the lobulations were not clear and it was pinkish in colouration. Histologically, the testes were encapsulated with connective tissue fibres and the dense interstitial connective tissue divided the testis into wide compartments with presence of spermatozoa during the spawning season. During non-spawning season, the seminiferous tubules were markedly reduced with clusters of dormant spermatogonia. The tunica albuginea covering the testis was of loose connective tissue but the underlying dense collagen fibres divided the testis into trabeculae containing seminiferous tubules when viewed at higher magnification. The epithelium of the seminiferous tubules also contained spermatogenic cells. Also during the spawning season, different shapes and sizes of seminiferous tubules containing darkly stained spermatozoa undergoing regeneration were observed.