Occurrence of Follicular Atresia in Ovary of Freshwater Catfish, <i>Heteropneustes fossilis</i> (Bloch)

Abstract

Atresia is a highly regulated process in the vertebrate ovary which appears to be essential for the maintenance of ovarian homeostasis. The oocytes in different stages of growth are lost through atresia (or degeneration) affecting the fecundity/ reproductive potential of the fish. The atretic oocytes have been identified in the ovary of the catfish during immature, pre-spawning, spawning and post-spawning periods. An attempt has been made to record the different stages of follicular atresia in Heteropneustes fossilis. Possible causes of the phenomenon have also been discussed.