Histological changes in hepatocytes and ovaries during different phases of spawning in a matured female catfish, hetero pneustes fossilis, (bloch 1794)

The present investigation dealt with the observations made on the effect of different seasons on the histological architecture of the ovary and liver of the catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis. The histological results showed that the ovaries of the catfish were degenerated during winter that was considered as the resting season of the catfish ovarian activity. It began to restore its intact and fully matured structure during spring and continued the same during summer where the ovaries showed different developmentel stages including mature follicles, therefore both spring and summer seasons considered as the spawning seasons of the catfish. Ovary showed many atretic follicles during post- spawning .During the maturation period, the cytoplasmic granules were observed with a hypertrophied nuclei, in hepatocytes . These granules were scarce during spawning period ,and became disappear during post – spawning. The results of GSI- Gonado Somatic Index and HIS- Hepato Somatic Index is coincided with the histological structure as they showed peak value during spring and summer ( spawning season) and showed the lowest value during winter (resting season) in Heteropneustes fossilis.(Bloch 1794)