Innervation of steroid-producing cells in the ovary of tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-1996

Abstract

The innervation of the tilapia ovary was examined histochemically and ultrastructurally. Thick nerve bundles were localized in the area near the ovarian artery and vein in the ovarian wall on the side facing the mesentery. Groups of a few axons ramified from the thick nerves and were terminated in the proximity of clusters of steroid-producing cells which are distributed in the interstitial area among yolky oocytes. The axon terminals were in intimate relation with the steroid-producing cells. The terminals contained many clear vesicles, a few dense-cored vesicles and some mitochondria. Moreover, a few terminals were observed on the surface of steroid-producing theca cells surrounding yolky oocytes. Histochemical results using a nerve-specific stain were in agreement with the ultrastructural observations. Our observations of direct innervation of steroid-producing cells bring to light a possible new avenue for regulation of steroid production in the tilapia ovary.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Zoological Science

Volume

13

Issue

4

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