• Development and Reproduction
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.269-277
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• 2021

Effects of water temperature and hormones on ovarian development of conger eel in Korea were investigated. Ovarian development was analyzed by measuring gonadosomatic index (GSI) and oocyte diameter with histological methods. At rearing water temperatures of 12℃, 14℃, and 16℃, GSI value increased from 3.66 at the start of the experiment to 7.44, 8.82, and 7.34 at the end of the experiment, respectively. At rearing water temperatures of 12℃, 14℃, and 16℃, egg diameter increased from 245.11-300.25 ㎛ at the start of the experiment to 377.62-480.27 ㎛, 396.72-498.54 ㎛, and 382.29-475.69 ㎛ at the end of the experiment, respectively. Follicular oocyte development revealed that primary yolk globule stage observed from January to March. It entered to secondary yolk globule stage in April and remained at the same stage until July. As a result of examining effects of three hormones (human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogue (LHRHa), and salmon pituitary extraction (SPE) on ovarian development, HCG was found to be the most effective one. The progress from diapause of the secondary yolk globule stage to migratory nucleus stage of oocytes could be induced by treating fish with HCG at 1,000 IU/kg. The effect of hormone treatment on ovarian development of conger eel in Korea was the most effective at water temperature of 14℃.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.369-378
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• 2018

We determined the morphologic characteristics (body weight and degree of abdomen inflation) of the red spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara, mother fish producing healthy eggs. Experimental fish were chosen from fish reared in a sea cage. The fish were divided into four size groups by body weight: 400~600, 600~800, 800~1,000, and 1,000~1,200 g and four stages (I~IV) of the degree of abdomen inflation. After hormone treatment, we observed the amount of ovulation-induced eggs, and rates of buoyancy, fertilization, embryonic survival, and hatching. As a result, mother fish with a body weight of 600 g or more spawned, and the fertilization rate, embryonic survival rate, and hatching rate were high in the 800~1,000 g range, thus showing effective ovulation induction. As a result of dividing the degree of abdomen inflation based on the anal fin of the mother fish into I-IV stages and determining hormone treatment time, the GSI was $0.9{\pm}0.2%$ at stage I, $2.3{\pm}0.2%$ at stage II, $5.6{\pm0.2%$ at stage III, and $7.9{\pm}0.9%$ at stage IV. The flotation rate and hatching rate were highest at stage III, and the fertilization rate and embryonic survival rate were highest at stage IV. Therefore, in terms of egg quality, the amount of eggs collected per mother fish, maturation, and histology were different depending on the degree of abdomen inflation. At stage III, where the abdomen inflation degree of the mother fish was based on the basal part of the dorsal fin relative to the height of the anal fin was 1, the egg quality was highest.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2022

This study was performed to obtain information on the sex ratio, size at sexual group maturity, and main spawning period of Glyptocephalus stelleri. The sex ratio (female: male) was 1:0.54 (n=189:103, 64.7% female), and the frequency of females in the population tended to increase with total length. The oocyte development pattern was group synchronous development, in which oocyte groups at different stages were identified within the same ovary. The total length at 50% sexual group maturity was analyzed using a logistic regression model, and was determined to be 28.51 (female) and 30.49 cm (male). The gonadosomatic index (GSI) displayed the highest values in April (female) and March (male), and the main spawning period being in April to May.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.12-19
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• 2022

In the present study, we investigated the effects of recombinant eel gonadotropins (rec-GTHs) on maturation induction in immature ovarian culture in vitro and sex steroid hormones in vivo in the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica. To study the in vitro effects of rec-GTHs on estradiol-17β (E2) production in immature ovarian tissues, ovarian tissues were incubated with different doses of rec-follicle-stimulating hormone (rec-FSH) or rec-luteinizing hormone (rec-LH). The results revealed that the E2 levels in the rec-FSH (0.1, 0.5, or 1 ㎍/mL)- and rec-LH (0.1 or 0.5 ㎍/mL)-treated groups were significantly higher than those in the female eels from the control group. Furthermore, to investigate the in vivo effects of rec-GTHs on the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and plasma sex steroid hormone levels, the eels were injected intraperitoneally with eel's ringer (control), salmon pituitary extract (SPE; for female eels), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; for male eels), rec-FSH, rec-LH, and rec-FSH + rec-LH once a week. The results revealed that except for the SPE and the hCG groups, none of the groups exhibited a significant difference in GSI values. However, in vivo plasma E2 levels increased at the end of 4 weeks after rec-FSH treatment in female eels. Based on these results, it is suggested that rec-GTHs may have a positive effect on sexual maturation in female eels; however, further studies on complementary rec-protein production systems and additional glycosylation of rec-hormones are needed to elucidate hormone bioactivity in vivo and in vitro.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.927-937
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• 2022

The reproductive characteristics of Pacific anchovy, Engraulis japonicus were investigated using samples randomly collected from the southern waters of Korea between January and December 2021. We analyzed monthly changes in maturity stages, gonadosomatic index (GSI), egg diameter, fecundity, and fork length (FL) at sexual groups maturity of 50%, 75% and 97.5%, and sex ratio (female:male). GSI value showed two peaks in May and August; however, microscopic analysis of E. japonicus gonad tissue revealed that the spawning period was from March to October. The main spawning seasons for the entire populations were from April to June and August to September. The overall sex ratio was female-biased (1 females, 0.89 male). The fecundity (F) of female anchovies ranged from 429 eggs at an FL of 8.0 cm to 13,824 eggs at an FL of 14.9 cm and the relationship between FL and F was 0.0788FL^4.422. The FL at 50% group maturity was 8.26 cm for female anchovies. Based on the results, we suggest that the reproductive cycle in Pacific anchovies may be related to pulses in water temperature and the sexual cycle of the fish.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.315-323
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• 2023

The maturity and spawning of the large yellow croaker Larmichthys crocea were investigated using samples randomly collected in the Jeju coastal area, Korea. We analyzed monthly changes in maturity stages, gonadosomatic index (GSI), and egg diameter. Additionally, we verified fecundity by size class and total length (TL) at sexual group maturity at 50%, 75%, and 97.5%, as well as by sex ratio (female vs. male). The overall sex ratio of females to males was 1:0.42. The GSI values showed a peak in October, but the spawning season, revealed by the microscopic analysis of gonadal tissue of L. crocea was from October 2021 to March 2022, with the main spawning period from October to November. The fecundity (F) of female L. crocea ranged from 39,232 eggs at 20 to 29.9 cm to 251,003 eggs at 50 to 59.9 cm, with the relationship between TL and F being 80.244TL-1641.6. In females, TL at 50%, 75%, and 97.5% maturity was 22.4, 24.3, and 29.0 cm, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.667-675
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• 2023

The Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus niphonius is an economically important fish species in the southwestern waters of Korea. This study aimed to provide insights into the reproductive biology of this species in the southwestern waters of Korea. We analyzed monthly changes in fork length (FL), maturity stages, and gonadosomatic index (GSI). Moreover, we measured the in FL at sexual group maturity of 50%, 75%, 97.5%, and sex ratio (female vs. male). The overall sex ratio of female and male was 1:0.8. GSI value showed the highest peak in May; however, the spawning period revealed by the microscopic analysis of gonad tissue of S. niphonius was from April to August 2020. The main spawning seasons for the entire populations was from May to June. The fork length at 50% group maturity was 53.3 cm for females and 53.1 cm for males. These results of spawning period of Spanish mackerel highlight the influences of water temperatures that were higher than those in the past, an increase in resource levels, and the level of Pacific anchovy resources flowing into the spawning ground.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2005.07a
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• pp.52-52
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• 2005

Oogenesis, the gonadosomatic index (GSI), reproductive cycle and first sexual maturation of the female Neptunea (Barbitonia) arthritica cumingii have been investigated by light and electron microscope observations. In the early vitellogenic oocyte, the Golgi complex and mitochondria were involved in the formation of glycogen, lipid droplets and yolk granules. In late vitellogenic oocytes, the rough endoplasmic reticulum and multivesicular bodies were involved in the formation of proteid yolk granules in the cytoplasm. In particular, compared with the results of other gastropods, it is a different result that appearances of cortical granules at the cortical layer and microvilli on the vitelline envelope, which is associated with heterosynthetic vitellogenesis, were not observed in vitellogenic oocytes during oogenesis. A mature yolk granule was composed of three components: main body (central core), superficial layer, and the limiting menbrane, Monthly changes in the gonadosomatic index in females were studied in 2002 and 2003 were closely associated with ovarian developmental phases. Spawning occurred between May and August in 2002 and 2003 and the main spawning occurred between June and July when the seawater temperature rose to approximately 18${\sim}$23${\circ}$C. The female reproductive cycle can be classified into five successive stages: early activestage (Septmber to October), late active stage ( November to February), ripe stage (February to June), partially spawned stage (May to Aygust), and recovery stage (June to August).

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.170-180
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• 1987

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of HCG and trout pitutary on sexual maturation and ovulation in the Korean loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus. Sexual maturation was observed in the fish treated with 250＋125 IU HCG within 2-4 days following injections. Total ovary weight and GSI were significantly greater in the hormone-treated fish than in the control fish. Furthermore, in the hormone-treated fish body weight increased by about 4-9 percent in 2 days. The water content of the ovulated eggs of the fish treated with 250＋125 IU HCG was also greater than that in the control. Changes in both macroscopic & microscopic appearnce of Korean loach ovaries are describled, as well as changes in the gonadosomatic index. Oocytes pass through seven cytologically changes in the relative stages. By examining these stages, it was found that oogenesis occures in two broad phases. The previtellogenic phasebegins as a new oogonia continues to arise following spawning. These rapidly develop into early perinucleolus oocytes, which in turn develop into resting stage oocytes. Most oocytes remain in this stage when they develop into late perinucleolus oocytes. The vitellogenic phase begins as these late perinucleolus oocytes become transformed into early maturing oocytes through the accumulation of yolk. The cytoplasm completely fills with yolk as oocytes reach the late maturing stage. Shortly before spawning the final hyaline stage of developing is reached. Changes in the microscopic appearances of the ovaries were well correlated with changes in both gonadosomatic index and macroscopic appearance.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.22 no.1 s.35
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• pp.1-11
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• 2006

The gonadosomatic index (GSI), oogenesis and reproductive cycle in female Neptunea (Barbitonia) afhritica cumingii were investigated by light and electron microscope observations. In the early vitellogenic oocyte, the Golgi complex and mitochondria were involved in the formation of glycogen, lipid droplets and yolk granules. Late in the vitellogenic oocytes, the rough endoplasmic reticulum and multivesicular bodies were involved in the formation of proteid yolk granules in cytoplasm. In particular, compared with the results of other gastropods, it showed a different result that appearances of cortical granules at the cortical layer and microvilli on the vitelline envelope, which is associated with heterosynthetic vitellogenesis, were not observed in vitellogenic oocytes during oogenesis. A mature yolk granule was composed of three components: main body (central core), superficial layer, and the limiting membrane. Monthly changes in the gonadosomatic index in females studied in 2004 and 2005 were closely associated with ovarian developmental phases. Spawning occurred between May and August in 2004 and 2005 and the main spawning occurred between June and July when the seawater temperature rose to approximately $18-23^{\circ}C$. The female reproductive cycle can be classified into five successive stages: early active stage (September to October), late active stage (November to February), ripe stage (February to June), partially spawned stage (May to August), and recovery stage (June to August).