Variations in Seminiferous Tubules during Active States of Spermatogenesis in Yangzhou Goose Ganders: A Case Study in China

Abstract

The current study was designed to evaluate the steps of spermiogenesis and stages along with morphological changes in seminiferous epithelium in Yangzhou goose ganders. Yangzhou goose is a synthetic breed developed by using local goose germplasm resources of China. It is popular in the Chinese goose industry due to high productivity and adaptability. Optimum hatchability and fertility in the goose industry is inevitable without emphasizing on reproductive health of ganders. Determining stages of spermatogenesis is a critical factor in evaluating the age of maturity and reproductive health of animals. The world's goose industry has been transformed over the last three decades. China has the world's largest goose breeding stock, accounting for 95% of the total. Most geese breeds have low reproductive performance, thus focusing on reproduction is critical to optimising the goose industry and meeting ever-increasing poultry meat and egg demands. . In Yangzhou geese ganders, this study looked at the stages of spermiogenesis as well as morphological alterations in the seminiferous epithelium. Testis sections were embedded in molten paraffin wax to examine various stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle. Changes in acrosomic granules were used to represent the early stages of spermiogenesis, while nuclear morphological changes were used to identify later stages. Ten steps of spermiogenesis and nine stages of seminiferous epithelium were identified. Four types of spermatogonia Ad, Ap1, Ap2 and B were recognized. The results depicted a clear variation in the diameter of seminiferous tubules (ST), epithelium height (EH), luminal tubular diameter (LD), number of seminiferous tubules per field and the Johnsen score. The phases of seminiferous epithelium were similar in other birds and mammals, and the ST diameter, EH, LD, and Johnsen score are all positively correlated, but the number of seminiferous tubules per field is negatively connected. Visualizing the histological development of germ cells in testis tissues during spermatogenesis after the commencement of breeding season and maturity will help boost fertility in Yangzhou ganders.