This study aimed to detailed description of the characteristics of the different germ cell types found in Astyanax altiparanae during spermatogenesis. In this purpose, testes from 25 adult male's specimens of A. altiparanae were sampled and submitted to the usual techniques for light microscopy. Based on nuclear shape, chromatin condensation, nucleoli quantity and cell size were identified four spermatogonial types: type A undifferentiated (Aund.*); type A undifferentiated (Aund.); type A differentiated (Adif.); and type B spermatogonia. Spermatocytes were observed in different phases of meiosis (leptotene/zygotene/pachytene and diplotene), metaphase I and II and secondary spermatocytes, being distinguish mainly by their chromosomal organization inside the nucleus. Were also identified three different types of spermatids, which were named as initial, intermediate and final, which can be differentiated by increase in nuclear condensation and spacing among cells inside the cysts, possibly by flagella arise and reduction in nuclear diameter . Thus, this study contribute to a better understand of spermatogenesis in this and other fish species.Keywords: fish reproduction; germ cells; spermiogenesis; testis morphology ESPERMATOGÊNESE NO LAMBARI-DO-RABO-AMARELO Astyanax altiparanae: UMA ANÁLISE HISTOLÓGICA COM ÊNFASE AOS TIPOS ESPERMATOGONIAIS E ESPERMÁTICO RESUMOO presente estudo teve como objetivo a descrição detalhada dos diferentes tipos de células germinativas encontradas em Astyanax altiparanae durante a espermatogênese. Deste modo, os testículos de 25 espécimes machos e adultos de A. altiparanae foram coletados e submetidos às técnicas usuais para microscopia de luz. Baseado no formato nuclear, condensação da cromatina, quantidade de nucléolos e tamanho celular foram identificados quatro tipos de espermatogônias: indiferenciadas do tipo A (Aund.*); indiferenciadas do tipo A (Aund.); diferenciadas do tipo A (Adif.); e espermatogônia do tipo B. Os espermatócitos foram observados em diferentes fases da meiose (leptóteno/zigóteno, paquíteno e diplóteno), metáfase I e II e espermatócitos secundários, sendo distinguidos principalmente pela organização dos cromossomos nos núcleos. Também foram identificados três diferentes tipos de espermátides, que foram nomeadas como iniciais, intermediárias e finais, que se diferenciaram pelo aumento da compactação nuclear e espaçamento entre as células no cisto, pelo possível surgimento do flagelo, e pelo diâmetro nuclear. Assim, este estudo contribui para um melhor entendimento da espermatogênese nesta e nas demais espécies de peixes.

This stereological analysis of the types of germ cells and the number of Sertoli cells per cyst in Astyanax altiparanae testes during spermatogenesis is the first such report in Characiformes. Testes of 25 male A. altiparanae were examined. Based on the number of spermatogonia B per cyst (469.2 ± 9.92), we estimated that spermatogonia undergo at least nine mitotic divisions before differentiating into primary spermatocytes. There are four spermatogonia types: undifferentiated spermatogonia A*, undifferentiated spermatogonia, differentiated spermatogonia, and type B spermatogonia. The number of Sertoli cells increased gradually from 1.41 ± 0.51 in the single undifferentiated spermatogonium A* to 9.25 ± 0.50 in cysts of spermatocytes in the leptotene/zygotene stage, possibly related to greater complexity of cellular events during the meiotic stage. The number of germ cells rose dramatically from spermatogonia A (1.0 ± 0) to spermatogonia B (469.2 ± 9.92); however, the quantity of spermatocytes inside the cysts in the leptotene/zygotene stage decreased (300.6 ± 6.97) relative to spermatogonia B, representing a loss of approximately 36% of the former number of cells. This was probably the result of apoptosis, which promotes successful development of the remaining cells during sperm production. The support capacity of Sertoli cells increased gradually during spermatogenesis.

The objective of this study was to temporally identify sex differentiation to morphologically characterize the formation of female and male germinal epithelium and verify the occurrence of the sex disproportion reported for this species in aquaculture. Specimens of Brycon orbignyanus cultivated in water recirculation systems with a constant temperature of 27 ± 0.5°C were used. Monthly samplings of B. orbignyanus (n = 15) were performed from two months of age until 1 year of age, and posteriorly isolated sampling was performed on specimens of two and three years of age. The gonads of the specimens were removed and processed for light microscopy. In the beginning, the undifferentiated gonads develop into ovaries (females; at three months of age) and functional testicles (primary males; at five months of age); however, some of the females go through a sex inversion process creating intersex individuals and posteriorly secondary males (at five months of age). Due to the processes of sex inversion and gonadal remodelling, the population sex proportion fluctuates until it is finally established at 1♀:2♂. Females above 15 cm are differentiated, while in males (primary and secondary), differentiation will only occur after the animal reaches 20 cm. At the end of the first year of age, primary males and secondary males reach sexual maturity, while female sexual maturity is only observed at three years of age.

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The knowledge of the testicular and ovarian morphology of a particular fish species is of paramount importance. Such analyze enables the development of studies and techniques aiming the improvement of their reproduction, management, commercialization and even their conservation. This study performed the ovarian and testicular characterization of the ornamental Amazon fish Serrapinnus kriegi. A total of three males and three females had their gonads analyzed by optical microscopy. Females present ovaries filled with oocytes in asynchronous development, indicating partial spawning in the species. Moreover, the micropyle and micropilar cell formation was observed in primary growing oocytes, representing a precocious oocyte development; and the zona radiata in the final vitellogenic oocytes is thicker than other related species, evidencing the development of a better protection to the embryos in function of the waters’ turbulence that characterize it spawning sites in the Amazonian streams. The male specimens’ present anastomosed tubular testes with unrestricted spermatogonia spread along the entire seminiferous tubules. The present data elucidate the dynamic of spermatogenesis and oogenesis of an ornamental Amazonian species, through the description of the male and female germ cells development.

Individuals of the same species may present different reproductive tactics depending on the environment in which they develop and mature. The present study aimed to define the gonadal development phases of males and females of Astyanax rivularis and to carry out a comparative analysis of the reproductive development of specimens captured in two isolated environments of the São Francisco River basin in Serra da Canastra, Brazil (Point 1: low vegetation and river showing calm and crystalline waters with small well formations; Point 2: current waters, and well-established areas of arboreal vegetation). Thus, the gonads of A. rivularis specimens were collected, fixed and processed with techniques for light microscopy. Five maturation phases of the females' reproductive cycle were established: immature, developing, spawning capable, regressing and regenerating. Three maturation phases of the males' reproductive cycle were observed: spawning capable, regressing, and regenerating. There are differences in the phases of gonadal development of A. rivularis between the two sampling points so that, possibly, animals upstream of the waterfall demonstrate a delay in the reproductive cycle in relation to animals downstream.

Piracanjuba, Brycon orbignyanus, is an important rheophilic species for aquaculture studies on genetic diversity, spermatogenesis, semen cryopreservation and taxonomy.Due to anthropic actions its population has been declining, resulting in the loss of natural stocks, thus pushing the species to near extinction. No stereological analysis of spermatogenesis in piracanjuba has been performed. The present study aimed to evaluate spermatogenesis in B. orbignyanus using stereological analysis to quantify the number of germ cells and Sertoli cells, spermatogonial generations, spermatogenesis yield, meiotic index and the percentage of cell death. Testes of five 1-year-old B. orbignyanus specimens were collected, fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and 4% paraformaldehyde and processed for light microscopy. Three types of spermatogonia were identified. Based on the number of B spermatogonia per cyst, it was estimated that spermatogonia underwent approximately nine mitotic divisions before differentiating into primary spermatocytes. Three types of spermatids were identified. In the final spermatid cyst, there were 1204 germ cells, indicating a spermatogenic yield of 58%. An increase in germ cells resulted in a subsequent increase in the number of Sertoli cells, with growth halted at the spermiogenic phase. Thus, stereological analysis of spermatogenesis is essential for better understanding of the reproductive processes in this species.