Seasonal and Moult Related Changes in Spermatogenesis of Travancoriana schirnerae

Abstract

The present study examined the seasonal and moult related changes in spermatogenic process of the freshwater crab Travancoriana schirnerae using histological methods. The annual spermatogenic process revived during March/April with gonadal proliferation and division of spermatocytes and attained its peak in May/June with acini containing mature sperms. A decline in activity was detectable during July/August, that corresponded to the mating season with inactive and resting secondary spermatocytes and spermatozoa. From September to February, the testis remained inactive, enclosing pycnotic gonia, spermatocytes and degenerating residual sperms. The premoult and postmoult testes exhibited inactivity with pycnotic gonia, spermatocytes and residual sperms whereas the intermoult testes appeared active with gonial proliferation, meiotic spermatocytes and mature spermatozoa. It has also been observed that there exists an antagonism between growth and reproduction in this species.