Zeitschrift für Zytologie und Histologie

Histochemical Demonstration of Testicular β-Glucuronidase during the Reproduction Cycle of Indian Major Carp, Labeo rohita

Abstract

Arun M. Chilke

In the present work, an attempt has been made to demonstrate the ?-glucuronidase activity in the testes of Indian major carp, Labeo rohita during its reproductive cycle. In the resting phase, spermatogonia exhibit the granular staining; however in the seminiferous lobules, both the diffused and granular reaction was observed. During the preparatory phase, staining is noted in the spermatogonia, spermatocytes and with some increased activity in the interstitial cells. During prespawning phase, enzyme intensity increases which indicates hormonal dependency of this enzyme because during this stage proliferation of all spermatogenic stages takes place. This enzyme may have a role in cell proliferation and growth. Hormonal dependency is further substantiated. During spawning phase, interstitial cells which are implicated in hormone synthesis are intensely stained. Spermatids show moderate and intense enzyme activity at this phase. In the spawning phase, spermatozoa do not show any enzyme activity but broken wall and interstitial or Leydig cells show intense staining. During postspawning phase, the enzyme activity in the testes increases which may be due to increase in the lysosomal activity required for the degeneration of testes. Enzyme activity is not detected in the Sertoli cells during the entire reproductive cycle of L. rohita.