“…The physiological and regulatory pathways underlying follicular atresia are complex and involve apoptosis and autophagy mechanisms (Cassel et al ., 2017; González‐Kother et al ., 2020; Krysko et al ., 2008; Morais et al ., 2012; Santos et al ., 2008; Thomé et al ., 2009). The dynamics of these processes has been described in detail in a variety of teleost species, both under light (Cassel et al ., 2017; Domínguez‐Castanedo et al ., 2019; Ferrão et al ., 2020; Grier et al ., 2017; Hunter & Macewicz, 1985; Lambert, 1970; Morais et al ., 2012; Pérez & Figueiredo, 1992; Polder, 1971) and electron microscopy (Besseau & Faliex, 1994; Miranda et al ., 1999; Moktar & Hussein, 2020; Qiang et al ., 2021; Santos et al ., 2008; Thomé et al ., 2009). Overall, the course of fish follicular atresia has been staged into four sequential phases: α, β, γ and δ (Hunter & Macewicz, 1985; Lambert, 1970).…”