Reproductive Biology of the Thumbprint Emperor, Lethrinus harak (Forsskal 1775), using histological ultra-structural characteristic in gonads along Sudanese Coastal Waters

Abstract

Lethrinus harak (Forsskal 1775) are very common species of the family Lethrinidae in Sudanese Red Sea Coast. Some aspects of the reproductive biology and histology of the gonads of Lehtrinus harak were studied between 2008 and 2009. The present study described six maturity stages for gonad development based on external features and histological study of males/females. Males of Lethrinus harak attain maturity stages at a relatively bigger size than females (at 22.5 cm for males and 21.7 cm for females). Lethrinus harak has a prolonged spawning season extending from October to April with peaks in April.

Full text

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Reproductive Biology of the Thumbprint Emperor, Lethrinus
harak (Forsskal 1775), using histological ultra-structural
characteristic in gonads along Sudanese Coastal Waters
Badr Eldinn KH, Adam
1*
; Sheikheldin M. Elamin
1
; and Salah Eldeen Y.M. Habiballah
1
1. Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Fisheries, Red Sea University
Abstract
Lethrinus harak (Forsskal 1775) are very common species of the family Lethrinidae in Sudanese Red Sea Coast.
Some aspects of the reproductive biology and histology of the gonads of Lehtrinus harak were studied between
2008 and 2009. The present study described six maturity stages for gonad development based on external features
and histological study of males/females. Males of Lethrinus harak attain maturity stages at a relatively bigger size
than females (at 22.5 cm for males and 21.7 cm for females). Lethrinus harak has a prolonged spawning season
extending from October to April with peaks in April.
Keywords: Lethrinus harak, Reproduction, histology, Abu Hashish, Red Sea
DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-4-10
1. Introduction
The study of reproduction and egg production increases our knowledge about the state of a stock and improves
standard assessments of many commercially valuable fish species. Lethrinus harak belongs to Family lethrinidae
which is one of the commercially important fish groups along the Sudanese Red Sea Coast and widely distributed
in Sudanese Red Sea Coast. There are at least four species of the genus Lethrinus common in the Sudanese waters,
all of which come under the common Arabic name of Sha’oor, and are one of the most common local commercial
fishes and are found throughout the year Abu Gideiri (1984).
There are no biological studies in detail such as studying reproduction and management of fishing in most fishes
of Red Sea especially Sudanese Coast. Therefore, this study is an important matter. The aim of this study to
collected main base line information on reproductive performance of Lethrinus harak during development in order
to investigate the reproductive biology of L. harak, including its spawning season, gonad maturity stages, sex ratio,
and the size at which50% of fish attain first sexual maturity which a future support mariculture and on fisheries
management. Hilborn. et al. (1992) and Pauly (1994) reported that growth and mortality model parameter estimates
are required for analytical fisheries management.
Hunter et al., (1992) reported that description of reproductive strategies and the assessment of fecundity is
fundamental topics in the study of the biology and population dynamics of fish species. Studies on reproduction,
including the assessment of size at maturity, fecundity, duration of the reproductive season, daily spawning
behaviour and spawning fraction, permit quantification of the reproductive capacity of individual fish. (Kraus, et
al., 2002). Filho, (1989) reported that knowledge about the gonadal development of marine fish species is
important information to maintain the fishery stocks. The data required to provide such information is typically
gathered through the examination and classification of gonads into developmental stages so that parameters such
as reproductive period, spawning frequency, size at sexual maturity and sex ratios can be determined. Many studies
have been conducted on the genus Lethrinus such as some aspect of the reproductive biology of Lethrinus harak
(Ntiba, 1995; Kulmiye et al., 2002and Ebisawa, 2006); histological studies on Lethrinus nebulosus (Loubens,1980);
size and age at sexual maturity (Hilomen, 1997 and Lassi, 2003) and some biological aspects of Lethrinus mahsena
(Abu Degoon, 2005).
2. Material and Methods
Collection of specimen:
Total of 358 specimens of Lethrinus harak was collected monthly and randomly from the Fish Commercial Centre
at Abu Hashish Fish Central Market-Port Sudan during the period from June 2008 to May 2009 The total length
(TL),was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm and the total weight (TW), and gonad weight (GW) were weighed to the
nearest 0.01 grams in an electronic balance and age estimates using the scales.

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Reproduction:
Reproduction information were obtained through the examination of the gonad of Lethrinus harak fish.
Length and age at First Maturity:
The length at first maturity was defined at the length at which fish attain maturity. Stage (IV) was considered as
the mature stage to enable determination of the minimum size at which fish attain sexual maturity. It was estimated
according to Soondron et al. (1998).
The Percentage of Mature Fish:
The Percentage of Mature Fish (%MF) was a determination for the combined sexes of the stage (IV and V) using
the following equation:
MF%=[Number of mature fish /Total number of in the sample] ×100
Histological processing:
Whole gonads removed from each individual were blotted dry, weighed to the nearest 0.001 g, sexed and staged
macroscopically, and immediately fixed in Bouin΄s solution for 24 hours for histological processing. Sections of
gonads embedded with paraffin wax were mounted on glass slides and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin
(Harris, 1900). These sections were viewed under a high powered microscope to confirm macroscopic sexes and
stages.
3. Results
Maturity stages:
The gonads of 358 L. harak individuals were examined. These individuals ranged in size from 14.3 to 35.7cm.
The description of maturity stages of Lethrinus harak in Table 1, while mature ovaries and testes are shown in Fig.
1 and 2.
Table 1. Description of maturity stages of Lethrinus harak gonads.
Testes Ovary
Maturity External Feature External Feature
Stage 1 Immature Long, slender and thread like translucent
structures occupying about 33% of the
abdominal cavity
Long, slender and thread like
structures, red colour also occupying
33% of
the abdominal cavity
Developing Ribbon-like structures slightly bigger
than stage 1, grayish-white in colour
occupying
50%
of
cavity
Firm and like with slight increase in
size pink in colour and 50% of cavity
oocytes not discernible.
Maturing Broad and thick dark white in in colour,
blood vessels visible externally milt
oozes out from cut surfaces and
occupying 70% of the abdominal cavity
Board and thick occupying 70% of the
abdominal cavity red or reddish
brown. Cavity red or reddish brown.
ernally. Oocytes visible through the
ovary wall
Ripe Further increase size occupying 90% of
the abdominal cavity White in colour.
Milt oozes out on slight pressure.
Distended and occupying 90% of the
abdominal cavity. Vessels
disappearing, oocytes can be seen
clearly through the ovary wall.
Running Fully distended, occupying almost all the
abdominal cavity exudes milt on slight
pr
essure.
Fully distended with granular surface
occupying almost all the abdominal
cavity
.
Spent Shrunken and flaccid, walls are harder
and wrinkled. No milt oozes out on
pressure and blood vessels visible
externally.
Ovary is not fully empty. Residual
oocytes present flaccid and red in
colour and Ovary wall is thick.

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Fig (1) mature ovary of Lethrinus harak
Fig (2) mature testes of Lethrinus harak
Length and age at first sexual maturity:
To determine the average size at which 50% of Lethrinus harak males and females attain first sexual maturity (fish
in stage 2 of gonad development and above were considered mature). Fish belonging to this species attains their
first sexual maturity at 22.5 cm for males and 21.7 cm for females (Table 2 and Fig. 3).
Table 2. Age, mean length and percentage of mature fish used to determine length and age at first maturity (L
T50
)
for Lethrinus harak .
Females
Males
Age
group
Mean
length
(cm)
Frequency Cumulative
Frequency
% of
Mature
fish
Age
group
Mean
length
(c
m)
Frequency Cumulative
frequency
% of
Mature
fish
I
14.83
0
0
0.00
I
14.3
0
0
0.00
II
19.96
26
26
19.70
II
20.16
9
9
7.56
III
23.39
78
104
78.79
III
23.5
75
84
70.59
IV
27.41
17
121
91.67
IV
27.2
21
105
88.24
V
35.04
11
132
100.00
V
35.7
14
119
100.
Total
132
119
Age I = 0 +, Age II = 1 +, etc

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Fig. 3: Shows the percentage of mature males and females for Lethrinus harak with total length, arrows show
Length at first sexual maturity.
Histological aspect of gonads development:
The histological aspect of ovary development and microscopic characteristics were summarized in (Plates 1-17),
and (Plates 18-28) of females and males respectively.
The histological aspect of testes development and microscopic characteristics was summarized in (Plates 18-28),
of males for Lethrinus harak.
Plate 1 (Whole section, x = 4)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38
Mean total length (Cm)
Cumulative Percentage
Female
Male

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Plate 2 (Enlarged section, x = 10)
Plate (1)and (2) transverse section through the immature ovary (undifferentiated) dominated will afew primar y
oocytes (Po) around the central cavity(CA) of the connective tissue(CT) in this stage the gonad wall (GW) is very
thick, (stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).
Plate 3 (Whole section, x = 4)

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Plate 4 (Enlarged section, x = 10)
Plate (3) and (4) transverse section through the immature ovary showing gonad wall (GW) is very thick, and a
nest of immature oocytes (IO) or oogonia and early perinucleolus (EP). Immature oocytes in this stages were small
spherical cells present either solitary or in a cluster of the cells founded embedded in the ovigerous lamella, and
the ovarian cavity (CA) is much reduced a
round the connective tissue, (stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).
Plate 5 (whole section)

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Plate 6 (Enlarged section)
Plate Fig (5) and (6) transverse section through immature ovary were `containing nest of chromatin nucleolus,
oogonia (O) (primary oocytes)
(po) or immature oocytesw (IO); Early perinucleolus(EP) around the cavity(CA) and connective tissue (CT).
Showed that oocytes appear small in size and nucleus disappearing or very small. The ovarian cavity is much
reduced, (stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).
Plate 7 (Whole section, x = 10)
Plate (7) transverse section through the developing ovary from immature to maturing there have much connective
tissue (CT) between follicles, gonad wall (GW) still is thick. Large circular nucleus (N) is seen with a number of
small nucleoli (Nu). In this stage, the young oocytes increase in size, early perinucleolus; extensive cytoplasm(CY)

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the late perinuleolus(LP) spherical in shape, the oocytes(O) have yolk (Y).Many oocytes are observed, egg follicles
started to appear in number, (stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).
Plate 8 (Whole section, x = 4)
Plate 9 (Enlarged section, x = 10)
Plate (8) and (9) transverse section through the maturing ovary the gonad wall (GW)is thick, as the growth of the
oocytes(O) progress they increase in size, and surrounded with follicular epithelial (FE). In this stage having early
perinucleolus (EP), late perinucleolus, and secondary oocytes (SO), (
stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).

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Plate 10 (Whole section, x = 4)
Plate 11 (Enlarged section, x = 10)
Plate (10) and (11) transverse section through the second stage maturing ovary showing the beginning atresia
hypertrophic folliculars cells and material yolk(Y) and zona radiate (ZR). Mature oocyte (MO) with a follicular
epithelial layer(FE). The cytoplasm is basophilic and occupies the greater part of the ovum the nucleus (N) is round
in shape, the nucleoli increase in in number and become smaller size and locate near the periphery of the nucleus,
(stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).

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Plate 12 (Whole section, x = 4)
Plate 13 (Enlarged section, x = 10)
Plate (12) and (13) transvere section through maturing ovary (near mature) the ovary is filled with oocytes (O)
different stage of yolk (Y) deposition, nucleus (N) in central position, the mature oocytes (MO) have thecal cells
(Th), granulosa(G) zona radiata (ZR), oocyte bounded by a distinct follicular epithelial(FE).The yolk granules
appeared as small spheres in the inner part of cytoplasm around the nucleus, the oocyte membrane in thick ness
and composed of three layer outer(Th) middle (G) inner (ZR), (stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).

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Fig 14 (Whole section, x = 4)
Plate 15 (Enlarged section, x = 10)
Plate (14) and (15) transverse section through the full mature ovary the ovary is filled with fully ripe oocytes (RO)
and having small distinguisted spheres of yolk depositions, oocytes size and become oval in shape , the three layer
thecal (Th), granulosa (G), zona radiata (ZR), appeared in clear, and spherical teriary yolk (TY), the ovary
composes beside the eggs wich had reached final maturation, few small eggs with different diameters as well as
some oocytes in atretic state, (stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).

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Plate 16 (Whole section, x = 10)
Plate 17 (Enlarged section, x = 25)
Plate (16) and(17) transverse section of spawning ovary showing spherical tertiary yolk (TY) and oval ripe oocyte
(Ro). The ovary full mature oocyte(FMO), the structure of an unfertilized fish egg nucleus (N), micropyle (M),
chorion (Ch), yolk (Y), oil globules (Og), vitelline membrance(Vm), perivitelline space(Ps), theca(Th), granulose
(G), cytoplasm(Cy), yolk nucleus(YN).the granulosa cells are hypertrophied, and thecal cells transform into
macrophages to invade the oocyte contents, The spawning ovary were observed most months of the year but peak
in other from October to April for L. harak (stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).

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Plate 18 (Whole section, x = 10)
Plate (18) transverse section through the immature testes, showing a preponderance of spermatogonia (Sg), there
are the primary germ cells. They undergo repeated mitotic divisions to form a large number of spermatogonia. It
the first spermatogonial stage in the testes. The gonad wall (GW) is thick, and inter lobular connective tissue (CT),
and cavity (CA). The seminiferous lobules at immature stage composed of the germ cells which are in active. They
designate spermatogonium at a different stage, (stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).
Plate 19(Whole section, x = 4 )

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Plate 20(Enlarged section, x = 10)
Plate (19) and(20) transverse section through immature testes contained fibrous connective tissue (CT), thick
gonad wall (GW), the cavity (CA), and spermatogonia(sg). In this stage, the formed spermatogonium is nearly
round the nucleus (N) of which have a much greater there is one nucleolus that lies in the center of some cells but
others located in the periphery of the nucleus (stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).
Plate 21 (Whole section, x = 4)

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Plate 22 (Enlarged section, x = 10)
Plate (21)and(22) transverse section through the immature testes were containing nest of spermatogonia (Nt Sg),
and the gonad wall (GW) still very thick, many cavity (CA) and connective tissue (CT), visible among
spermatogonia (Sg) in lobules, nucleus (N) nucleolus (Nu). The chromatin material is arranged in the peripheral
part of the nuclear membrane, the cytoplasm appeared lightly eosinophilic while the nucleoplasm was slightly
basophilic.
Plate 23 (Whole section, x = 10)
Plate (23) transverse section through the developing teses showing spermatogonia (Sg) with multiplying another
type of spermatocytes is primary spermatocytes (PSg) secondary spermatocytes (SSg), in this stage the gonad wall
(GW) become thin and many cavity (CA) among connective tissue (CT) and tubule wall (TW) appears. As
spermatogenesis proceeded, spermatogonia divided and multiplied to give the primary spermatocytes, the lobule
exhibited the presence of spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes, the latter appeared smaller than

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spermatogonia, the cell out-line are not well defined the nucleus is spherical and measured this stage is
characterized by condensed chromatin material of their nuclei (stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).
Plate 24 (Whole section, x = 10)
Plate (24) transverse section through the maturing testes showing the primary spermatocytes (PS) multiplied and
divided to produce the secondary spermatocytes (SS). These cells were formed by the first meiotic division of the
primary spermatocyte, the secondary spermatocyte has a short duration and rapidly divided into spermatid (ST).
The cell wall of second spermatocytes becomes indistinct. The nucleus is spherical, the chromatin material become
either polarized to one pole of the nucleus or deeply condensed with the transluescent centre. In this stage the
gonad wall (GW) still thin and testicular lobe comprised of seminiferous fibrous connective tissue (CT), the tubule
wall (TW) is appeared (stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).

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Plate 25 (Whole section, x = 10)
Plate (25) transverse section through the nearly ripe testes (last maturing) showing active spermatogenesis
throughout the testes, nest primary spermatcytes (SP), a nest of secondary spermatocytes (SS). These cells were
formed by the second meiotic division of secondary spermatocytes the spermatid (ST) appeared smaller than the
primary and secondary spermaticytes are recognized by indistinct cell outlines. According to the degree of
maturation, the spermatid is either grouped inside a cyst or distributed throughout the central lumen of the lobules.
Spermatid developed to spermatozoa (SZ) at this stage and have many inter lobular connective tissue (CT) and
gonad wall become very thin (stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).

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Plate 26 (Whole section, x = 10)
Plate (26) transverse section through the mature testes showing degenerative change of the seminiferous tubles
expressed by damage of their membranes spermatozoa (SZ), in this stage the spermatid (ST) still appearing and
the gonad wall (GW) still very thin. The spermatozoa (SZ) were distinguished by small round heads and slender,
elongated tails. The chromatin material was condensed in the head of spermatozoa, the active spermatozoa
migrated towards the centre of the lumen of the lobule (stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).

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Plate 27 (Whole section, x = 10)
Plate (27) transverse section through the full mature testes all the lobules is filled with free spermatozoa (SZ),
with saw spermatids (ST) at the end of spermiogenesis are visible next to the lobule wall ,tubule wall (TW) and
connective tissue (CT), (stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).
Plate 28 (Whole section, x = 10)

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Plate (28) transverse section through the spawning testes (oozing) the all tastes filled with spermatozoa (SZ) and
some of connective tissue (CT) or blood vessels. In this stage showing reduction in size of lobules leaving space
between them, decrease of the intensity of spermatozoa (SZ), and thick inter lobular connective tissue (CT). The
spawning testes were observed most months of the year but peak in other from March until November for L. harak
(stained with Hematoxyline and Eosin).
4. Discussion
Lethrinus harak was economical important fish species, beside its ease adaptability for culture an increasing
interest has been given to its propagation and productivity on Red Sea Coast. The gross morphological criteria
used to distinguish the six maturity stages assigned to gonad development, together with the cyclical changes
shown by the gonad-index, to provide reliable evidence of spawning for Lethrinus harak in shore waters. The
occurrence of high percentages of individual fishes with running gonads (stage5) in the samples in, at least, eight
consecutive months from October to April and the subsequent emergence of spent fish one month after the October
peak through April suggests that L. harak population at the Red Sea coast has a prolonge spawning season
extending from October to April with two peaks occurring in October and February.
Unfortunately, no published data on reproduction of L. harak are available in the literature. However, the
information available for other lethrinid species can be used for comparison. Wassef & Bawazeer (1992) found
that the longnose emperor, L. elongatus, in the Red Sea has a protracted spawning season spanning four months
(May–August). Kuo & Lee (1990) reported that the common porgy, L. nebulosus, also has a prolonged spawning
season extending from September to February in the Northwestern Shelf of Australia. Nzioka (1979), examining
the gonads of East African reef fishes, postulates two spawning seasons for some lethrinid species in September/
October and January/February.
The present data and histological study on length and age at first maturity for L. harak showed the male and
females attain first sexual maturity (fish in stage 2 of gonad development and above were considered mature). It
was found that fish lengths smaller than 19.5 cm and 18cm are always immature. The first sexual maturity at 21.5
cm for males, and 22.5 cm for females both sexes at the second year for life. These findings are in general in
agreement with Ntiba., et al (1995) in study of L. harak in Kenyan water; Shakeel and Ahmed (1996) stated that,
the minimum size allowed to be caught for E. areolatus in Malé, Maldives is 25 cm. McIlwain et al. (2006) in
their study on L. nebulosus in the Arabian Sea, Sultanate of Oman found that, the immature individuals constituted
more than 40% of the that, the age at first maturity of L. nebulosus was 1.58 year which corresponds to length 29.5
cm in the coastal areas of Mauritius. The length at first sexual maturity of L. nebulosus in Arab Emirates in front
of Abu Dhabi was determined by Grandcourt et al. (2003), as 28.6 cm for males and 31.3 cm for females. While,
Grandcourt et al. (2006) found that, the length at first sexual maturity of L. nebulosus in the Southern Arabian Gulf
was 27.6 cm for males and 28.6 cm for females.
The Plates (from 1 to 17) show the histological changes (development) in ovaries during the reproductive cycle
for the females of L. harak. Oogenesis in fish are known to undergo a sequence of external and internal changes,
these changes in the oocytes development have been detected in various fish species. According to various authors,
the course of development of oocytes have been divided into stages, phases or periods in order to differentiate the
gradual changes in their peculiarities (Guraya et al. 1975 & Matsuyama et al. 1991).
It is well known that the growth of oocytes takes place at two development phases namely the primary growth
phase and secondary growth phase (i.e. vitellogenic oocyte). The primary growth phase two species under the
present study includes only an immature oocyte which can be divided into three subdivision or phases. Initially,
the early young oocyte characterized by having a large nucleus containing one large nucleolus. The early stage of
young oocyte species under the study is similar to prematuration period. These results are in agreement with Zaki
et al. (1986), synapsis – period of Latif and Sandy (1973), immaturation period of Assem (1992 and 1995) and
chromatin – nucleolus stage of El Gamal (1997) on Cyprinus carpio study. The late immature oocyte stage of the
present study characterized by increasing oocyte in size and the nucleoli mostly located towards the nuclear
membrane. The late immature stage of the present study is similar to protoplasmic growth of Latif and Sandy
(1973) and the perinucleolus stage of Mousa (1994 and 2002) and El Gamal (1997) on Cyprinus carpio study.
In the present results, the perinucleolus stage undergoes a gradual increase in the oocyte size and in number of
nucleoli of the nucleus. During the late perinucleolus stage a basophilic organelle appears in the cytoplasm (yolk
nucleeus). The yolk nucleus can be termed as, achroplasm, crop vitelline or Balbiani bodies (Zaki, et al., 1991).
The second growth phase (i.e. vitellogenic oocyte) includes vacuolization of cytoplasm and yolk deposition. In

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some other teleosts, the vitellogenic stages were divided into phases vacuolization and yolk deposition as described
by Zaki et al., (1986) and Ashour et al. (1990). However, in some other fishes, there were four stages: vesicle
stages, primary yolk granules stages, secondary yolk granules stage and tertiary yolk granules stage as described
by (Khoo, 1979; Mousa, 1994 and 2002 and El Gamal 1997) on the ovary of many other fishes. On the contrary
of many other fishes, the yolk depositions first appeared in the peripheral cytoplasm, thereafter scattered towards
the center of ooyte as those described by (Zaki et al., 1986; Zaki and El Gharabawy 1991; El Gamal, 1997 and
Mousa, 2002).
Recent electron microsccopical studies revealed that the yolk nucleus was not a homogenous structure, and it was
composed of various cellular organelles such as mitochondria, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, multivesicular
bodies and lipid granules (Wallace and Selmon, 1981). At the end of the perinucleolus stage and at the vesicles
stage the follicular epithelium appeared surrounding the oocytes. On further growth of oocytes, these follicular
epithelial cells formed a layer coating the oocytes.
It was believed that the prementioned follicular cells play an important role in active transport of proteins and other
nutrients from blood to oocytes during vitellogenesis as reported by Norrevang (1968). Guraya et al., (1975)
claimed that follicle cells and oocytes are considered to play an important role in the cytoplasm structures was
proved to synthesize sexual steroids by follicular theca envelope. In the present study the zona radiata layer
contains microvillar processes pass through pore canals. The microvilli are thought to be the site of substance
exchange between the follicle cells and the oocyte (Mastsuyama et al., 1991).
For the nearly ripe stage the present results revealed the presence of few spermatogonia and spermatocytes showing
moderate quantity of spermatozoa. These results confirm with most teleosts as reported by Ghabrial (1990) and
El-Gohary (2001) in Oreochromis nilotica. Ripe stages show a markeds dilation of seminiferous lobules containing
a lot of sperms. Also the present study revealed that the spawning stage similar to the ripe stage show a decrease
in the size of lobules due to discharge of considerable amounts of spermatozoa. This stage extended through the
period of many months through the year for L. harak.
The complication of the process of spermatogenesis and the character of the discharge of the sexual products are
relative to the asynchronism in the reproduction of the primary spermatocyte as reported by Koppel (1955). Also
this asynchronism may be due to the progress of spermatogenesis wave along the different parts of the testes
(Butskaya-1955). Adaptation of prolonged and continuous spawning is characterized by fractional discharge of the
sperm cells. The prolonged spawning is enhanced by the presence of different individual caught at the same period
exhibit different spermatogenic activities and the spermatozoa are discharged gradually from the semineferous
lobules and the reduced size of testes, so the specific characteristic of spermatogenesis is related to the type of
spawning depending on the character of spawning in female (Zaki et al., 1986; Assem, 1999 and El-ghamaly,
2001).
5. Conclusion
The results of the first length and age of maturity for the L. harak was extremely at the 21.5 cm for males and 22.5
cm for females both sexes at second year.
The histological and morphological characters of ovaries L. harak have indicated that the oocyte pass through six
successive stages of sexual maturation stage 1, immature oocyte (resting stage); stage 11, Vacuolization of the
cytoplasm (preparatory stage); stage 111, beginning of yolk deposition (maturing stage); stage ıv, nearly mature
(last maturing); stage v, the maturation of oocytes (spawning stage) and stage vı, egg resorption (postpawning
stage).
Acknowledgement: Authors acknowledge Sayed Yosif from Khartoum University for photo the slides and the
Faculty of Marine Sciences and Fisheries, Red Sea University.
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