About this Research Topic
Among vertebrates, fish represent a group where plasticity in sex differentiation is wide. From an evolutionary perspective, the degree of fish sex lability would not be related to its taxonomical position but would change in relation to life-history strategies and/or specific environmental characteristics. Therefore, fundamental understanding of gamete production variability remains largely unclear in several freshwater and marine species. The objective of this Research Topic will be to describe the characteristics of gonadal development and the reproductive strategy in fish species through a combination of macro and microscopic techniques.
Vertebrate reproduction depends on the function of two distinct gametes, sperm and eggs, which develop in two different organs, the testis and the ovary. Testes and ovaries are composed of germ cells, supporting cells and interstitial cells. The gonadal development is cyclical and seasonal in most fish species. Germ cell renewal, differentiation, development, and the release of sperm/oocytes throughout each reproductive cycle result in gonadal alterations that characterize different reproductive phases. Variations in the fish gonadal morphology reflect important ecological and behavioral adaptations during reproduction. In addition, the phenotypic plasticity of gonadal morphology reflects the adaptability to environmental changes. Therefore, the change in association and establishment of these lineages contribute to a variety of seemingly different sex differentiation processes among teleost fish. Hence, histological, histochemical, histometric and ultrastructure techniques together with macroscopic aspects of the gonads are interesting approaches to characterize reproductive phases of many freshwater and marine species.
This Research Topic welcomes articles of original research, review articles, letters to the editor, and book reviews on functional, comparative, evolutionary and developmental morphology in fish with particular emphasis on major life-history traits in the gonad during the reproductive process through provided topics below. Articles generally should not exceed 35 printed pages. The articles of purely descriptive morphological changes of gonad development are also welcomed to be included. No paper which has already been published will be accepted, nor will simultaneous publications elsewhere be allowed.
Topics we will accept include:
• Sex differentiation processes
• Germ cell differentiation and development
• Spermatogenesis
• Oogenesis
• Spawning type
Vertebrate reproduction depends on the function of two distinct gametes, sperm and eggs, which develop in two different organs, the testis and the ovary. Testes and ovaries are composed of germ cells, supporting cells and interstitial cells. The gonadal development is cyclical and seasonal in most fish species. Germ cell renewal, differentiation, development, and the release of sperm/oocytes throughout each reproductive cycle result in gonadal alterations that characterize different reproductive phases. Variations in the fish gonadal morphology reflect important ecological and behavioral adaptations during reproduction. In addition, the phenotypic plasticity of gonadal morphology reflects the adaptability to environmental changes. Therefore, the change in association and establishment of these lineages contribute to a variety of seemingly different sex differentiation processes among teleost fish. Hence, histological, histochemical, histometric and ultrastructure techniques together with macroscopic aspects of the gonads are interesting approaches to characterize reproductive phases of many freshwater and marine species.
This Research Topic welcomes articles of original research, review articles, letters to the editor, and book reviews on functional, comparative, evolutionary and developmental morphology in fish with particular emphasis on major life-history traits in the gonad during the reproductive process through provided topics below. Articles generally should not exceed 35 printed pages. The articles of purely descriptive morphological changes of gonad development are also welcomed to be included. No paper which has already been published will be accepted, nor will simultaneous publications elsewhere be allowed.
Topics we will accept include:
• Sex differentiation processes
• Germ cell differentiation and development
• Spermatogenesis
• Oogenesis
• Spawning type
Keywords: Differentiation, Gonad development, Growth, Reproduction, Reproductive physiology
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
