• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2008

The gonad index, reproductive cycle and first sexual maturity of Sinonovacula constricta collected from Simpo, Kimje-gun, Korea were investigated by histological analysis. The gonad index(GI) in both sexes of S. constricta increased from April and reached a maximum in July when the water temperature rapidly increased. And then, the GI values gradually decreased by spawning from August through October. Monthly variations in the GI showed a close relationship with ovarian development. The reproductive cycle in females and males can be classified into five successive stages: early active stage(March to June), late active stage(May to July), ripe stage(July to September), partially spawned stage(August to October), spent/inactive stage(October to March). The percentage of first sexual maturations in female and male clams of 50.1-60.0 mm in shell length was over 50%, and for clams over 70.1 mm in shell length, it was 100%. Because harvesting clams < 50.1 mm in shell length could potentially cause a drastic reduction in recruitment, a measure including a prohibitory fishing size should be taken for adequate improved fisheries resource management.

• 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).

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.30-41
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• 1988

The gonadal development, the annual reproductive cycle and the first sexual maturity of surf clam, Mactra veneriformis Reeve were studied histologically. Speciemens were monthly collected at the intertidal zone of Naechodo, Chollabuk-do, Korea, for one year from March 1986 to February 1987. Sexuality of the clam is dioecious. The gonads were located between the subregion of mid-intestinal gland in the visceral cavity and the reticular connetive tissues of the foot, The ovary is composed of a number of ovarian sacs, and the testis comprise several testiculat lobules. The undifferentiated mesenchymal tissues and eosinophilic granular cells function as nutritive cells in the early stage. The ripe eggs were about 50-60${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in diameter, and they were wurroundedby the gelatinous membranes. The spawing period was from early June to September the main spawning occurred beetween July and August when the water temperature reached above 24$^{\circ}C$. The annual reproductive cycle of this species could be classified into five successive stages: multiplicative(January to March), growing(March to May), mature(April to August), spent(June to September), degenerative and resting(September to February). The monthly changes of fatness coefficient closely correlated with the annual reproductive cycle. Percentages of the first sexual maturity of female and male clams were over 50% among those individals ranging from 2.1 To 2.5cm, and 100% in those over 2.6cm in shell length.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.16 no.1_2
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• pp.35-41
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• 2000

We investigated the gonad index (GI), gonadal development, the reprodutive cycle and first sexual maturity of the venus clam, Cyclina sinensis by histological observation. Samples were collected from the intertidal zone of Komso Bay, Chollabuk-do, west coast of Korea, from April 1998 to March 1999. This clam is dioecious and oviparous. Monthly changes in the gonad index (GI) showed a similar pattern to the reproductive cycle. Ripe oocytes are about 90-100 ㎛ in diameter. The spawning period was between early July to September, and the main spawning occurred between July and August when the sea water temperature was over 20$\^{C}$ The reproductive cycle of this species can be divided into five successive stages: early active stage (February to April), late active stage (March to June), ripe stage (April to August), partially spawned stage (July to October), and spent / inactive stage (September to February). Percentages of first sexual maturity of female and male clams measuring 26.1-30.0 ㎜ in shell length were 53.3% and 62.5%, respectively, and 100% for the clams > 41.0 ㎜. It is assumed that both sexes begin reproduction at about two years age.

• 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.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.231-240
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• 2008

The gorgonian coral Anthoplexaura dimorpha Kukenthal, 1908(Gorgonacea: Octocorallia) is abundant in Jejudo Islands, Korea. To investigate the sexual reproduction of this species, we surveyed the morphology and cycle of gametogenesis. 5-6cm long fragments from 3-7 randomly chosen colonies were collected monthly at a depth of 12-24m in the water surrounding Munseom from August 2003 to August 2005. This species was gonochoric with sex ratio of 1.86:1(female to male), and had one annual reproductive cycle affected by elevation of seawater temperature. Oogenesis was longer than spermatogenesis as 12 months in female and 6 months in male. The planulae were not observed from the field survey and histological sections, which suggested broadcast spawning for the reproductive mode in this species. The possible spawning events may occur after the seawater temperature attain to the annual peak in September.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.253-260
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• 2008

Gonadal development, gametogenesis, reproductive cycle, spawning, relative weight of flesh, and onset of sexual maturity of the murex shell, Ceratostoma rorifluum, collected from the rocky intertidal zone of Daehang-ri, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do, Korea were investigated monthly from January to December 2005 both cytologically and histologically. The gonads were widely placed on the digestive gland located in the posterior spiral fleshy part in the shell. C. rorifluum had separate sexes, and was an internal fertilizer. The sex ratio of females to males was approximately 1:1. The ovary and testis contained a great number of oogenic follicles and spermatogenic tubules, respectively. The oogonia and fully ripe oocytes were $15-19{\mu}m$ and $150-160{\mu}m$ in diameter, respectively, and the cytoplasm of the ripe oocytes contained a number of yolk granules. The relative weight of flesh reached a maximum in August($39.35{\pm}0.40%$), and then decreased rapidly in November($32.75{\pm}1.20%$). The percentages of female and male snails at first sexual maturity with shell heights ranging from 12.1-14.0 mm were 60.0% and 52.9%, respectively, while 100% of the snails of both sexes with shell heights over 18.1 mm were reproductively active. Based on the gonadal development and histological observations, the reproductive cycle of the snail could be categorized into five successive stages: early active(December to May), late active(March to July), ripe(June to September), spawning(July to October), and recovery(October to March). C. rorifluum spawned once a year between July and October, and the majority of spawning occurred in September when the seawater temperature exceeded $23.5^{\circ}C$.