ScienceAsia 23 (1997): 225-240 |doi: 10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.1997.23.225

THE GAMETOGENIC PROCESSES IN A TROPICAL ABALONE, HALIOTIS ASININA LINNAEUS

SOMJAI APISAWETAKAN^a, AMPORN THONGKUKIATKUL^b, CHAITIP WANICHANON^a, VICHAI LINTHONG^a, MALEEYA KRUATRACHUE^b, E. SUCHART UPATHAM^b, TANATE POOMTHONG^c AND PRASERT SOBHON^{a, 1}

ABSTRACT: The gonad histology and gametogenic processes of a species of abalones found along the coast of Thailand, Haliotis asinina, were studied by light microscopy using special stainings. The outer gonadal wall is similar in both sexes, and consists of fibro-muscular tissue forming a capsule-like structure. This capsule forms connective tissue trabeculae that partition the gonad into compartments,where gonial and early germ cells are attached to each trabecula to form oogenetic or spermatogenic unit. Within the connectives of trabeculae are vessels that contain haemolymph. Cells in oogenetic process could be classified into six stages according to their histological characteristics: oogonium, and five stages of oocytes, ie., with light basophilia (I), with intense basophilia and oil droplets (II), with primary yolk granules (III), with secondary yolk granules and thin jelly coat (W), and mature ovum with 2 types of yolk granules and fully formed jelly coat (V). The cells in spermatogenetic process could be classified into thirteen stages: spermatogonium, five stages of primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocyte, four stages of spermatids and two stages of spermatozoa.

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a Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
b Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
c Coastal Aquaculture Development Center, Department of Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Klong Wan, Prachuapkhirikhun 77000.

Received 10 September 1997