Histochemical detection of steroid synthesizing cells in the testes of goldfish, Carassius auratus, during the annual reproductive cycle

Abstract

We investigated the sites of Δ⁵-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 β-HSD) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) synthesis in the testes of goldfish, Carassius auratus, during the annual reproductive cycle. The histochemistry of fish gonads has been investigated previously in many species other than goldfish. The reproductive cycle of goldfish, is divided into five stages and the steroid synthesizing cells of the testes were studied during these stages, using histochemical techniques. We found that interstitial cells and seminiferous tubules are the main steroid synthesizing sites in testes of goldfish, and that enzyme activity was more intense in the interstitial cells than in the seminiferous tubules. During the pre-spawning months, 3 β-HSD and G-6-PD activities were weak compared to the spawning months.

Key words::

• interstitial cells
• seminiferous tubules
• steroid
• synthesis

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.