• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1576-1584
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• 2008

In this study, canonical correlation analysis (CCA) was applied to estimate the relationship between three different sexual maturity traits (X set: days to first egg (DFE), weight of the first egg (WFE), body weight at first egg (BWFE)) and level of nutrient intake (Y set: energy (EI) and protein intake (PI)) or the egg production traits at two different periods (Z set: number of egg (NE1 and NET) and weight of egg (WE1 and WET) from 22 to 25 (Wfirst) and 22 to 33 wk of age (Wall), respectively), which were measured from 64 egg-type pullets (Isa Brown) manipulated for time of access to energy and protein sources to onset of egg production. Partial CCA (PCCA) was used to eliminate the contribution of differences in the levels of nutrient intake to canonical variables for X and Z sets at the first production period. Estimated canonical correlation coefficients between X set and Y set (0.429, p = 0.042), X set and Z set (0.390, p = 0.007 for Wfirst) and within Z set (between Wfirst and Wall; 0.780, p<0.001), and partial canonical correlation coefficient between X set and Z set (0.415, p = 0.009) were significant. Canonical weights and loadings from CCA indicated that the BWFE had the largest contribution compared to the DFE and WFE to variation of egg number produced at two different periods. The results from PCCA indicated that the contribution of PI and EI to the degree of the correlation between canonical variables for X and Z sets were unfavourable. In conclusion, the effect of body weight at sexual maturity upon the availability of nutrients can have a higher contribution to variation of egg production in pullets if the contribution of differences in nutrient intakes to onset of egg production were eliminated.

• 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.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2001

Gonadal development, reproductive cycle, gonad index, meat weight rate, and first sexual maturity of the top shell, Omphalius rusticus were Investigated monthly by histological observations. Specimens were collected from the west coast of Korea during the period from January to December in 1999. O. rusticus is dioecious and oviparous. The gonad is widely situated on the surface of the digestive g1and located in the posterior spiral meat part in the shell. The ovary and the testis were composed of a number of oogenic follicles and several spermatogenic follicles, respectively. Ripe oocytes were approximately 120-130 $\mu$m in diameter. The meat weight rate peaked in June (27.7%), and then rapidly decreased in September (19.5%). Monthly changes in the gonad index in both sexes reached the maximum in June, and then sharply decreased in September. Percentages of first sexual maturity of female and male snails ranging from 9.0 to 9.9 mm in shell heights were 58.3% and 54.5%, respectively, and 100% in those over 11.0 mm in both sexes participated in reproduction. Reproductive cycle of this species can be categorized into five successive stages: in females, early active (October to April), late active (December to June), ripe (April to September), spawning (July to September) and recovery (September to January): in males, early active (November to March), late active (December to June), ripe (April to September), spawning (July to September) and recovery (September to December). Gonadal development, gametogenesis, reproductive cycle, and spawning were closely related to the seawater temperature.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.229-235
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• 2005

Sexual maturity of Korean skate, Raja koreana, was investigated based on 89 specimens caught between September 2002 and December 2003 in the southwestern sea of Korea. Clasper development was slow between 35 cm and 52.5 cm TL, increased abruptly between 59.5 cm and 71 cm TL, and thereafter decreased, showing an overall sigmoidal growth pattern. Unlike other skates and sharks, Korean skate males were already histologically mature before the claspers lengthened. Although the egg capsules were found in May and November in Korean skate females, histological findings indicated that spawning occurred throughout the year except summer in females but all the time in males.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.472-479
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• 2006

The sexual maturity and reproductive cycle of the common squid, Todarodes pacificus captured from the East Sea, Korea, between January 2004 and January 2006, were investigated by documenting changes in the gonadosomatic index (GSI), gonad development, and oocyte size frequency distribution. The GSI of females began to increase in July, reached a maximum in August, and then gradually decreased. The GSI of males increased from July to March. Using gonad histological observations, we identified four oocyte developmental stages. The changes in GSI and gonad tissue resulted in the classification of the annual reproductive cycle into the following four successive stages: immature (April to June), growing (June to July), mature (July to August), and ripe and spawning (August to March). According to the oocyte diameter size frequency distribution in the ovary, this species appeared to have asynchronous oocyte development and one spawning time.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.375-383
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• 1999

Gonadal development, gametogenesis, reproductive cycle, and first sexual maturity of Reishia clavigera were investigated monthly from July 1998 to June 1999 through cytological and histological observations. R. clavigera had separate sexes, and was an internal fertilizer. The ma1e penis was located near the two tentacles. The ovary and testis were composed of a great number of oogenic lobules and spermatogenic tubules, respectively. The size of ripe oocyte ranged from 130 to 140 ${\mu}$m in diameter. The peripheral cytoplasm of the germinal vesicle of the ripe oocyte in many cases were surrounded by smaller yolk granules, while the eccentric cytoplasm was occupied with larger ones. The reproductive cycle of R. clavigera could be classified into five successive stages: early active, late active, ripe, spawning, and recovery. Spawning of females occurred from early July to August when the seawater reached above 24.8$^{\circ}C$. Spawning of males occurred from early June to August in the water above 22.8$^{\circ}C$. Minimum size for sexual maturity of both sexes was above 10.0 mm in shell height. Each egg capsule was a cylinder or spindle in shape, 4-6 mm in length and 1-2 mm in width. Colors of newly spawned egg capsules showed yellowish white or pale yellow, while those with veliger larvae showed pale black, and released larvae or dead egg capsules showed black violet. The fecundity in an egg capsule ranged from 70 to 91 eggs (mean＝80.28 eggs).

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.98-102
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• 2020

We examined the comparative spawning ecology of daggertooth pike conger Mureanesox cinereus and common pike conger M. bagio in the South Sea of Korea from May 2018 to December 2019. In the South Sea of Korea, the mean total length (TL) of M. cinereus was significantly smaller than that of M. bagio. The sex ratios of both species were skewed toward females. The spawning period of M. cinereus was from June to October, while the spawning period of M. bagio was from August to October. The lengths at 50%, 75%, and 97.5% sexual maturity of M. cinereus females were estimated as 54.6 cm, 60.4 cm, and 74.1 cm TL, respectively. It was not possible to estimate lengths at sexual maturity for M. bagio in the South Sea of Korea due to the absence of immature stages.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2020

Determination of the precise size at sexual maturity is very important for science-based stock assessment and fisheries resource management. In this study, two different models, (1) a visual method and (2) a gonadosomatic index (GSI) method, were employed to estimate length at sexual maturity of the small yellow croaker Larimichthys polyactis in the Yellow Sea of Korea. The visual method is a common qualitative method using visual gonadal identification. Conversely, the GSI method is a quantitative method using the GSI, which can be easily and precisely collected. We compared results from these methods to determine the best approach, and to examine the practicality of the GSI method. Logistic regression of the maturity ogive was conducted using a general linear model (GLM) with the R statistics program. Also, the bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals of all estimates were calculated. The best-fit model was the visual method (R_Mc²=0.805, AUC=0.989, L₅₀=15.1). Among models using the GSI method, the model computing GSI_ref=0.94 was the best-fit model (R_Mc²=0.792, AUC=0.989, L₅₀=15.2). There was no significant difference between the two models, evidencing the effectiveness and accuracy of the GSI method.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.313-323
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• 2013

Gonad development, the reproductive cycle, first sexual maturty and size at 50% of group sexual maturity (the biological minimum size) of Gomphina (Macridiscus) veneriformis were investigated for clams collected from the coastal waters of Donghae City, the East Sea of Korea by histological, and morphometric analysis. Monthly variations of the gonad index showed a pattern similar to that of the reproductive cycle. The reproductive cycle with the gonad developmental stages in female and male G. (M.) veneriformis can be classified into five successive stages: early active stage (December to March), late active stage (March to June), ripe stage (June to July), partially spawned stage (June to August), and spent / inactive stage (September to December). The spawning period continued from June to August, with a peak between July and August when the seawater temperature exceeds $20^{\circ}C$. The percentages of first sexual maturities of female and male clams ranging from 25.1 to 30.0 mm were 56.3% in females and 61.1% in males, and for clams over 30.1 mm shell length, it was 100%. Shell lengths at 50% of group sexual maturity (biological minimum size, $RM_{50}$) were 27.71 mm in females and 26.31 mm in males. Because harvesting clams < 26.31 mm in shell length could potentially cause a drastic reduction in recruitment, a measure indicating a prohibitory fishing size should be taken for adequate fisheries management.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.191-198
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• 2007

The ultrastructure of germ cells and follicle cells during oogenesis, oocyte degeneration, reproductive cycle, and first sexual maturity in female Cyclina sinensis were investigated for clams collected from Simpo, Jeollabuk-do, Korea, by cytological and histological observations. Vitellogenesis occured by way of endogeous autosynthesis and exogenous heterosynthesis: vitellogensis occurred through a process of autosynthesis, which involves a combined activities of the Golgi complex, mitochondria, and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The process of heterosynthesis involved endocytotic incorporation of extraovarian precursors into the basal region of the early vitellogenic oocytes prior to the formation of vitelline envelope. The follicle cells appear to play an integral role in vitellogenesis and oocyte degeneration, functioning in phagocytosis and digestion of products originating from the degenerated oocytes: these functions can permit the transfer of yolk precursors needed for vitellogenesis. Follicle cells might have a lysosomal system for breakdown and might also resorb phagosomes in the cytoplasm for nutrient storage during oocyte degeneration.