东太平洋赤道海域茎柔鱼组织能量积累及其与海表面环境因子的关系

头足类生长速度快、寿命短,生长发育对栖息环境波动变化的敏感性高。组织能量积累是衡量生物体内能量储备及其与环境效应的重要指标。为了掌握茎柔鱼(Dosidicus gigas)生长发育及其对栖息环境的适应性,本文利用组织能量密度测定技术和广义可加模型(generalized additive model,GAM)分析方法,对赤道海域茎柔鱼肌肉和性腺组织的能量积累及其与环境因子的效应关系进行了分析研究。结果显示,茎柔鱼雌雄性个体肌肉组织能量积累随个体生长发育显著增加,主要受到地理纬度和海表温的影响。性腺组织能量积累在性腺成熟前后差异性显著,能量积累过程与地理经纬度、海表温和叶绿素浓度等关系密切。以上结果表明,赤道海域茎柔鱼肌肉和性腺组织能量随着生长发育不断积累。两者的能量积累与环境因子关系存在组织特殊性,海表温是肌肉组织能量积累的重要环境效应因子,而性腺组织能量积累同时受到海表温和叶绿素浓度变化的影响。此外,雌性个体性腺组织能量积累随着经度自东向西增加显著,表明这些个体具有显著的离岸索饵育肥洄游习性。     

Energetics of reproduction and spawning migration for Pacific saury (Cololabis saira)

Pacific saury is a small (up to 35 cm SL) pelagic fish, feeding actively in the food-rich sub-arctic water (10–12 °C) during summer (June – August) and spawning in the food-poor sub-tropical water (20–22 °C) during winter (December – April). Changes in protein, lipid, and energy content for 30 cm standardized fish from August to February were examined. Accumulated body reserves were abundant in the feeding season, most of them being expended during southward migration, and almost exhausted in the active spawning season. Thus it is indicated that most of the allocated energy to egg production was derived from the energy of food consumed during spawning season.     

从体内脂肪的转移过程探讨凤鲚和刀鲚溯河产卵洄游距离的差异性

为探讨凤鲚和刀鲚溯河产卵洄游距离差异的可能原因,本研究从雌性繁殖群体体内脂肪储备和转移的角度,对这两个近缘种进行了分析。对凤鲚的研究结果显示,到达产卵场的个体中,5月份个体的体长、体质量和肌肉脂肪含量均显著大于6、7、8月份的个体,表明个体大、肌肉脂肪积累多的个体较早地完成了生殖洄游过程。与同一发育时期的刀鲚相比,凤鲚的平均肝体指数相对较大,Ⅲ、Ⅳ期卵巢指数GSI高出约5倍。表明在繁殖季节,凤鲚体内更多的能量集中到卵巢及更容易被转移的器官。脂肪含量分析显示,凤鲚的肌肉和肝脏脂肪含量分别约是刀鲚相同发育阶段脂肪含量的1/3和1/2,但卵巢脂肪含量则相反。表明凤鲚将更多的脂肪积聚在繁殖器官中,而刀鲚则主要积聚在运动器官中。从躯干脂肪总量的变化分析,刀鲚躯干脂肪总量从Ⅱ期的97.73%下降至Ⅳ期的91.02%,凤鲚则从Ⅱ期的91.02%迅速下降至Ⅴ期的34.69%。二者的肝胰脏脂肪含量较稳定,但凤鲚的卵巢脂肪含量要明显地高于刀鲚。研究表明,这种将体内大部分脂肪用于性腺发育,躯干脂肪又很快耗尽的现象,可能是小型短距离溯河产卵洄游鱼类的共有特征。     

Influence of gonadal development on metal accumulation in the Portuguese oyster,Crassostrea angulata,in subtropical areas

Metal enrichment makes oyster considered to be an appropriate food source for trace elements, but excessive accumulation can threaten human health. Reproduction is an important biotic factor that affects the metal accumulation in oysters. However, the influence of continuous gonad development model on metal accumulation in some subtropical oysters is still unclear. The present study addresses the concentrations of trace metals and glycogen associated with the gonadal and somatic tissues throughout the reproductive cycle of diploid and triploid Crassostrea angulata cultured in Fujian, China. Cu, Zn and Pb contents of gonads were negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with gonadosomatic index (GSI). The correlation between Cd content and GSI was not significant. There was a positive correlation (p < 0.05) between GSI and Mn content in female gonads while the correlation was negative (p < 0.05) in males, indicating Mn plays an important role in gametogenesis of females. The effects of gonadal maturity and gender on metal accumulation in somatic tissue were not significant (p > 0.05). The concentrations of all metals in sterile triploids were not significantly different from those of the somatic tissue of diploids. Gonadal glycogen content showed a negative correlation with the GSI. However, somatic glycogen content was not affected by gonadal development, indicating that the energy consumed during gametogenesis comes mainly from recently ingested food rather than from energy stored in somatic tissue. The effects of the gonadal development on the metal accumulation in oysters varied according to the metal and tissue type.     

Lipid energy reserves influence life-history decision of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (S. trutta) in fresh water

Abstract –  Lipid density appears to influence life-history decisions in salmonid fishes. This study shows that parr and smolts of anadromous Atlantic salmon from a south Norwegian river have on average between 30 and 40% higher energy level than corresponding brown trout in spring and summer, which may explain differences in life-history traits between the two species. The higher energy density of young salmon was chiefly due to a 1.8 times higher lipid density in parr and 2.4 times higher lipid density in smolts. The difference was smaller among immature parr in the autumn, with only 1.4 times higher lipid density in salmon than trout. The reason for the decreased difference was probably that the more energy rich salmon parr had attained maturity at the time. Among mature male parr, the somatic energy density was approximately 10% higher in trout than salmon. However, the gonadal energy content was more than twice as high in salmon than in trout. The higher somatic energy allocation in parr of Atlantic salmon probably influences protein growth of the two species in fresh water, and increases the ability of salmon relative to trout to undertake long distance feeding migrations and make large investments in reproduction.     

The lipostat, hyperphagia and catch-up growth

The hypothesis that long-term energy intake is matched to energy expenditure arose during the 1950s, and this formed the basis of the lipostatic model for the control of food intake in mammals. This gave rise to an additional hypothesis that body weight varies little over adult life because body fat, a variable related to body mass, is regulated. There is now a large body of evidence that adipose tissue plays a role in the regulation of feeding and body weight in mammals, and the study of the mechanisms by which the brain monitors the signals arising from the adipose tissue is currently a major area of research. After a period of nutritional restriction, a number of compensatory responses are invoked, and these result in hyperphagia, rapid weight increase and the repletion of energy reserves. However, the extent to which animals recover lost body weight has been reported to vary between studies. It is hypothesized that the rate at which animals replete their lipid reserves during catch-up growth may influence the hyperphagic response and, hence, whether or not there is complete recovery of body weight. Preliminary tests carried out using some data collected in studies of catch-up growth in salmonids appear to provide support for the model, but more experimental studies are needed to provide rigorous testing.     

Reproductive cycle of the south American scallop Amusium laurenti (Gmelin, 1791) (Bivalvia, Pectinidae)

Amusium laurenti is a functional hermaphroditewith well differentiated male and female gonadalareas. The gonadal index varies throughout the yearwith maximum values occurring in January, March andJuly, and minimum ones in August and September. Partial spawning (with respect to the individual andthe population) occurred from January to February andMarch to May. The major spawning event coincided withthe end of the period during which bottom watertemperature increased to temperatures above 26°C(July–August). Subsequently temperature decreased to22°C, with a period of gonadal restoration andincreasing gonadal index. Histological analysis ofthe gonads correlated with the gonadal index.     

Seasonal variation in body composition of Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus, from an ultraoligotrophic alpine lake

Abstract  – Seasonal pattern of energy content was determined in a population of Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), living in an ultraoligotrophic alpine lake (altitude 1100 m) located in central Norway (62°5'N). Specific somatic energy content varied between 4.3 and 6.1 kJ · g⁻¹ in spawners and between 4.8 and 6.6 kJ · g⁻¹ in immatures. Corresponding values for specific somatic lipid energy were 0.5–1.6 kJ · g⁻¹ for spawners and 0.7–2.1 kJ · g⁻¹ for immatures. The temporal pattern in storage energy residuals (deviation from mean storage energy, all sampling periods pooled) indicated that total, protein and lipid energy accumulated in the autumn and early winter. This increase was followed by a winter decrease in somatic energy (January to April). A new increase in total somatic energy and somatic lipid energy occurred during late winter (March/April to June), while the lake was still ice covered and water temperatures ranged between 0.5 and 2.5 °C. The observed seasonal pattern of specific energy storage and lipid deposition demonstrated a considerable potential for energy accumulation in Arctic char at low temperatures. It is discussed whether freshwater lakes at high altitudes or latitudes represent a temperature-stabilised and predictable environment in contrast to the variable temperature experienced in the corresponding terrestrial system.     

Lipid content of Calanus finmarchicus during overwintering in the Faroe–Shetland Channel

Lipid class contents and composition of the copepodite stage CV and adult female Calanus finmarchicus were measured from the autumn to the spring along a transect crossing the Faroe–Shetland Channel. The data give a detailed vertical resolution of lipid content of C. fin-marchicus before, during and after the time of diapause. In the deep water, where C. finmarchicus was in diapause, the wax ester (WE) content did not change between the autumn and spring with the exception of that of females, which showed a significant decrease in lipid content by March. The concentrations of lipids were lower and more variable in both CV and females in surface waters over the sampling period. In March, the lipid concentration of both CV and females decreased significantly with decreasing depth. The triacylglycerol (TAG) content of both CV and females was high in October at all depths but had almost disappeared by December. The TAG was either utilized during this time period or converted to WE. TAG was most prominent in October and again in February in copepods in the upper water column. A simple diagnostic model is presented that estimates how C. finmarchicus allocates energy reserves from lipids into various metabolic functions. The cost of diapause, molting, gonad formation and ascending from depth is estimated based on the time series data. The model indicates that the major portion of the stored lipid goes into gonad formation, in physical ascent and in basic metabolism during ascent, whereas maintenance of diapause and molting is not expensive in terms of lipid utilization.     

秘鲁外海茎柔鱼肌肉组织的能量积累

能量积累是表征生物体身体能量储备水平的重要指标之一,对寿命短、生长快且终生一次繁殖的头足类属种的表征作用尤显重要。本实验根据我国远洋渔业鱿钓渔船于2014年6-8月在秘鲁外海(10?26?S~17?17?S,79?17?W~82?39?W)作业期间随机采集的茎柔鱼(Dosidicus gigas)样本173尾(雌性107尾,雄性66尾),利用数学统计方法和组织能量密度测定技术,分析了该柔鱼个体的体重-胴长生长和胴体、足腕、尾鳍等肌肉组织的能量密度及其能量积累过程。结果显示,茎柔鱼雌雄个体的胴长、体重分别为(262.12±38.33)mm、(541.69±251.69)g,以及(251.37±31.90)mm、(449.78±179.99)g;雌雄个体的体重-胴长生长存在显著性差异(P0.05)。雌雄个体肌肉组织能量密度均以胴体的为最高,分别为(20.56±1.12)k J/g和(20.67±0.76)k J/g;足腕次之,分别为(20.09±1.25)k J/g和(19.95±0.87)k J/g;尾鳍最低,分别为(19.92±1.05)k J/g和(19.63±0.96)k J/g;同一组织雌雄个体间的组织能量密度无显著性差异(P0.05)。胴体、足腕、尾鳍等组织间的能量积累差异性显著(P0.05),胴体是最大的能量积累单元。其中,雌性个体胴体、足腕、尾鳍三组织的能量积累占比分别为63.14%、25.23%和11.63%;雄性个体的分别为65.89%、22.91%和11.20%。此外,胴体、足腕、尾鳍肌肉组织的能量随着个体生长积累显著(P0.05),并且这些肌肉组织的能量积累自低纬度向高纬度海域显著增加(P0.05),表明秘鲁外海茎柔鱼肌肉组织的能量积累过程是一个索饵育肥及其生长的过程。     

Seasonal adjusted diets to Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): Evaluations of a novel feed based on heat-coagulated fish mince, fed throughout 1 year in sea: Feed utilisation, retention of nutrients and health parameters

The present paper reports the results of a 1 year experiment using Atlantic salmon with a starting weight of 1.7 kg, and final weight of 7.4 to7.8 kg dependent of diet group. The experiment aimed to evaluate a direct production method of feed where landings from fishing vessels are used directly in feed processing. The dietary compositions followed the natural rhythm in lipid level of the catches of herring in the North Sea (Catch group) adjusted to be stable throughout one season only, and compared to a control diet (constant composition throughout the year) and a designed diet (opposite to the natural biorhythm of salmon lipid stores) (diet group Design). Four seasons were defined: spring (March, April, May), summer (June July August), autumn (September, October, November), winter (December, January, February). All diets varied in protein and lipid due to the adjustment according to season. The experiment was run in triplicate sea cages for each diet, using natural light and temperature regimes (21°N). All diet groups showed equal growth throughout each season, except for the Catch group during autumn showing lower SGR-values. SGR values varied significantly also between seasons for all diet groups, ranging from 0.29 during spring to 0.81 during autumn. Feed conversion ratio varied dependent on season and the dietary protein to energy ratio, at all seasons except winter. Quite a large variation between diet groups and seasons were registered in condition factor. Whole body lipid varied between seasons, as a consequence of dietary lipid levels, and increased as fish weight increased. After autumn growth only, whole body protein levels were significantly lower in the Catch group compared to the two other diet groups. Muscle lipid levels did not vary as a consequence of fish size alone, but varied substantially between seasons in both the Catch and Control groups, but not in the Design group. Muscle alpha-tocopherol and fatty acid profile varied due to diet in spring and autumn seasons, but with minor variations due to diet in summer and winter periods. Only minor influences from diet were registered in liver and heart compositions. Haematological parameters and plasma nutrient values ranged within normal values for salmon, and together with close to no mortality throughout the experiment, fish health was concluded to be good in all diet groups at all seasons. However, plasma asparagine aminotransferase (ASAT) values were quite high during summer and autumn, especially in the control group. These results point to the need of optimizing antioxidant composition of diets during the summer and early autumn season. Overall results show the possibility to obtain acceptable production results when feeding Atlantic salmon a diet adjusted to each season, as long as the fish protein to energy (P:E) requirements are met, further that total body lipid stores varied more than muscle lipid concentrations, and that the lipid levels were highly dependent on season, diet composition and fish size.     

Anatomic and metabolic responses to thermal acclimation in the ninespine stickleback,Pungitius pungitius

Male ninespine sticklebacks, Pungitius pungitius, acclimated to 3°C have higher activities of mitochondrial enzymes in their axial muscles than males acclimated to 20°C. Phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase activities tended to be higher in cold than warm acclimated males. For females, warm acclimation tended to decrease only mitochondrial enzyme activities. As thermal acclimation did not change the physical condition and most anatomic parameters of the sticklebacks, the enzymatic changes do not seem due to mobilization of somatic reserves. Field acclimatization to warm temperatures led to a marked decrease in physical condition in both males and females. This decrease in physical condition could largely be attributed to atrophy of the carcass mass. Spring males had higher activities of phosphofructokinase, citrate synthase and cytochrome oxidase in the axial muscle than summer males. Again, females showed a less marked response. These data suggest that environmental temperature is a major determinant of muscle aerobic capacity, at least for male ninespine sticklebacks. Thus, these northern temperate zone fish retain the capacity for thermal compensation, much like their temperate zone counterparts.     

Influence of broodstock diet on somatic growth,fecundity, gonad carotenoids and larval survival of sea urchin

The effects of formulated feeds on Paracentrotus lividus broodstock performances and carotenoid compositions were investigated. Performance of offspring derived from each dietary treatment was compared to determine whether maternal provisioning of nutrients affected offspring development and survival under commercial culture conditions. At the end of the experimental period (3 months), urchins were induced to spawn, relative fecundity measured, and offspring derived from each treatment were reared independently and survival up to competence assessed. Carotenoid composition of the gonads was also measured. Data showed that the highest dietary protein content significantly improved somatic growth, whereas higher lipid content increased gonadal index (GI) consistent with the use of gonads as nutrient storage in sea urchins. Nonetheless, gonad lipid concentration was not significantly different between treatments indicating that higher dietary lipid content favoured gonadal size rather than increase lipid content of the gonadal tissue. Interestingly, GI and fecundity were not correlated, although the latter may have been enhanced by dietary xanthophyll. This suggests the importance of including carotenoids in broodstock diets to enhance hatchery outputs. This study also indicated that, although broodstock diet can influence fecundity, it had no significant impact on larval survival, which could instead be influenced by rearing conditions.     

Effects of hemi-castration on plasma steroid levels in two teleost fishes; the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, and the Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar

In order to study the possible homeostatic regulation of gonadal steroids in fishes, plasma steroid levels were measured in hemi-castrated and sham-operated nesting male three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus, and in mature 2-year old male Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. Hemi-castration significantly suppressed androgen levels in both species. In sticklebacks, plasma levels of 11-ketotestosterone (11KT) were 56% and levels of testosterone (T) 55% of those found in sham-operated males. In hemi-castrated salmon the levels of 11KT were 63%, and the levels of T were 75% of the levels in sham-operated males. In contrast, levels of 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20-P) in salmon (not measured in sticklebacks) were not different between hemi-castrated and sham-operated males. The results suggest that, although levels of the steroid 17,20-P were compensated in hemi-castrated salmon, the androgen levels in fish males in full spawning condition are not closely regulated by negative feedbacks. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Survival of ovarian somatic cells during sex change in the protogynous wrasse, Halichoeres trimaculatus

The three-spot wrasse (Halichoeres trimaculatus), which inhabits the coral reefs of Okinawa, changes sex from female to male. Sex change in this species is controlled by a social system. Oocytes disappear completely from the ovary, and male germ cells and somatic cells comprising testicular tissue arise a new during the sex change process. However, little is known of the fate and origin of the gonadal tissue-forming cells during sex change. In particular, the fate of ovarian somatic cells has not been determined, although the ovarian tissue regresses histologically. To approach this question, we analyzed apoptosis and cell proliferation in the sex-changing gonads. Unexpectedly, we found that few apoptotic somatic cells were present during sex change, suggesting that ovarian somatic cells might survive during the regression of the ovarian tissue. On the other hand, cell proliferation was detected in many granulosa cells surrounding the degenerating oocytes, a few epithelial cells covering ovigerous lamella and a few somatic cells associated with gonial germ cells at an early stage of sex change. Then, we found that proliferative ovarian somatic cells remained in the gonads late in the sex change process. Based on these results, we concluded that some functional somatic cells of the ovary are reused as testicular somatic cells during the gonadal sex change in the three-spot wrasse.     

Seasonal dynamics of direct and indirect condition indices in relation to energy allocation in largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (Lacèpede)

Abstract  – We investigated several indices (relative weight, mesentery fat, hepatosomatic index, gonadosomatic index, muscle index and visceral somatic index) of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (Lacèpede) as a function of season, gender and length to determine how these indices changed with energy content. Length was a significant influence in all comparisons of monthly index measurements, with the exception of the muscle index. All indices, except for the gonadosomatic index, showed few significant differences between sexes for all length groups. Generally, index values were associated with seasonal changes in prey relative abundance and temperature, and the reproductive cycle in mature fish. Total body energy was most influenced by muscle energy stores. Hepatic and gonadal energy of large, sexually mature females decreased considerably with the onset of spawning. Muscle and hepatic energy, to a lesser extent, supported gonadal development. Muscle index values closely tracked seasonal changes in muscle energy, thus providing a useful tool for evaluating seasonal growth and energy patterns. The hepatosomatic index responded to changes in body condition of small and medium fish until June, after which further increases in plumpness caused the utility of this index to decrease. The mesentery fat index provided a useful measure of stored energy available for long-term needs, relative to other energy depots. Seasonal dynamics of invasive condition indices must be considered in light of rapid increases or decreases in body weight (e.g., spawning loss of gametes).     

长牡蛎"海大3号"生长繁殖与营养成分的周年变化

为阐明长牡蛎"海大3号"新品种的生长与繁殖特性,自2016年11月份至2017年10月份对养殖于山东省荣成海区长牡蛎"海大3号"群体的生长、性腺发育及营养成分的周年变化及其与环境因子的关系进行研究。结果显示,在海区水温较低的冬季1—2月份,长牡蛎"海大3号"生长缓慢,性腺处于休止期;随水温升高,在春季3—4月份配子开始发育,雌雄个体发育基本同步,4—5月份壳高生长速率加快,湿重显著增加;在夏季,随配子发育壳高生长速率降低,7月份因配子排放湿重下降;在产卵后的秋季长牡蛎"海大3号"壳高和湿重均显著增长。营养分析结果表明,随性腺发育,外套膜、性腺-内脏团、鳃和闭壳肌中糖原含量呈下降趋势,为配子发育提供能量;脂质和蛋白质作为配子主要结构物质在性腺中不断累积,随配子排放而显著降低;在秋季,4个组织中较高的蛋白质含量为机体的快速生长提供物质基础。同时外套膜作为构成壳物质的分泌器官,在8—9月份其糖原含量和脂质含量显著增加,这暗示机体的快速生长需要一定能量储备。研究表明,长牡蛎"海大3号"的生长和繁殖活动受海区水温季节性变化的影响,并与各组织营养成分密切相关。春季和秋季为机体快速生长时期,夏季为配子集中排放期;糖原是生长繁殖活动的主要能量来源,脂质是配子主要结构物质,蛋白质是机体产后恢复和快速生长的物质基础。     

Changes in the proximate composition of juvenile white suckers following re-feeding after a prolonged fast

Cultured juvenile white suckers, Catostomus commersoni, are commonly held over winter without the provision of exogenous feed. This study examined the ability of suckers to recover from prolonged fasting, and the energy partitioning strategies employed during the re-feeding phase. In one trial, white suckers held, without exogenous feed, in commercial lake cages for a prolonged period were fed a semi-moist salmonid diet. Although the fish consumed the feed, they exhibited negligible growth over the 12 weeks of the trial, and there was no evidence of increases in tissue lipid, glycogen or protein. In the second trial, previously well-fed juvenile white suckers were starved for 20 weeks and then re-fed. Condition factor (K), but not body weight was increased during the 8 week trial. However, hepatosomatic index (HSI), hepatic and somatic glycogen, and somatic lipid and protein reserves (expressed as a percentage of tissue) were significantly increased during the re-feeding period. Further, changes in plasma thyroid hormone levels indicated an important role of these hormones in the energy partitioning events. The poor growth of juvenile white suckers in intensive culture may be caused by deleterious changes in feed conversion ability resulting from extended fasting of the fish prior to grow-out.     

The reproductive biology of the baby clam, Marcia opima, from two geographically separated areas of India

A study of the reproductive cycle of the baby clam, Marcia opima (Gmelin) was conducted at two sites along the southeast (Tuticorin Bay) and southwest (Ashtamudi estuary) coast of India from December 1998 to January 2000. Histological evidence showed that baby clam from both the sites showed two spawning seasons. First spawning season was recorded from May to July in the southeast coast. In the southwest coast, the first spawning season was observed through March to May. A second spawning season from September to December was recorded in both the coasts. In the southeast coast, minimum and maximum condition indices were obtained in January 2000 and April 1999 respectively and decreased from May to June and November to January, signifying the two spawning periods. Most of the animals were either in spent or indeterminate gonadal stage from May to August and November to January indicating the active spawning during that months in the southeast coast.     

Histopathology of gonadal neoplasms in cyprinid fish from the lower Great Lakes of North America

Abstract. The hybrids of carp, Cyprinus carpio L., and goldfish, Carassius auratus (L.), collected from the lower Great Lakes between 1978 and 1981 exhibited epizootics of gonadal neoplasms which were rare in the parental species. The gonadal histology of male and female carp captured for this study was typical of a successfully reproducing population but the hybrids appeared to be sterile. In male hybrids meiosis was often completed, but spermatids usually degenerated in early spermiogenesis. In female hybrids, vitellogenesis was frequently completed but there was no evidence of final maturation or ovulation. Proliferations of undifferentiated germ cells and stromal cells were evident in the tumour nodules of both the male and female hybrids and were considered to represent neoplastic transformations. Proliferations of Sertoli cells were common in males and in the male portion of intersex gonads, which were present in some hybrids. The Sertoli cells of these individuals were well differentiated, formed tubules and accumulated large stores of lipid. Extensive degeneration of germinal cells was often apparent in areas of Sertoli cell proliferation as were numerous, large, melano-macrophage centres. Gonadal stromal cell tumours did not form tubules or accumulate lipid. The spindle cells of these neoplasms could be found in homogeneous sheets or intermixed to varying degrees with the early stages of germ cells and/or connective tissue elements.