Summary
The testicular gland of Blennius pavo Risso, 1810 is an accessory sex organ situated ventrally, adjacent to the testis. Sperm have to cross it to reach the vas deferens. Changes in the fine structure of the gland were monitored monthly over a period of 1 year. The annual cycle is closely correlated to the reproductive cycle. Maximum synthetic activity and cell size are reached during late prespawning and early spawning. At that time the number of lipid vacuoles increases markedly. Vesicles of smooth endoplasmic reticulum ER, numerous Golgi cisternae and tubulovesicular mitochondria which are characteristics of steroid producing cells can be observed. Secretory vesicles are synthesized in the apical region of the cells and then released into the ducts of the gland. The content of lipids is maintained until the resting period. The supranuclear region of the cells contains accumulations of lamellar bodies that probably derive from lysosomal vacuoles. Fine structural characteristics suggesting the function of the testicular gland are discussed.
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Seiwald, M., Patzner, R.A. Ultrastructure of the testicular gland of Blennius pavo (Pisces, Teleostei). Zoomorphology 107, 26–32 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00312126
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00312126