PATTERNS OF OOCYTE DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED CHANGES IN PLASMA 17-BETA ESTRADIOL, VITELLOGENIN, AND PLASMA CHEMISTRY IN ENGLISH SOLE PAROPHRYS-VETULUS GIRARD

Ovarian development was monitored in female English sole Parophrys vetulus Girard from three sites in Puget Sound: Sinclair Inlet and Port Susan, where fish are normally resident, and University Point, a known spawning area for English sole. Histological changes in ovary and liver as well as changes in plasma estradiol and vitellogenin levels, gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index, and calcium, phosphate, magnesium, glucose, triglycerides, total protein, and albumin concentrations in the plasma over the reproductive cycle were assessed. Vitellogenesis in female English sole began in the early fall, and spawning activity reached its peak in February. Oocyte development was group synchronous with two distinct clutches of oocytes in the maturing ovary. In general, the cytological and physiological changes which English sole underwent during the reproductive cycle were similar to those observed in other teleost species. However, certain distinctive features were observed, including a high prevalence of atresia of nonyolked oocytes.