reproduction > testis > normal histology > spermatocysts

see also: Location - Tubules - Testis details

adult zebrafish; H&E staining
structure of the mature testis - the seminiferous tubules are lined with cysts

The structural organisation of tubules is visible at medium power magnification.
In the image below it is also evident, that the lining seminiferous tissue is built of clusters of cells, the so called spermatocysts.
The composition of these spermatocysts is best viewed at high magnification, see next section. The lumen of the tubules is filled with mature sperm.

Note, that zebrafish have continuous reproduction, and therefore show a balanced presence of proliferating, differentiating, maturing spermatogenic stages, and mature sperm. In contrast, the testis of seasonal breeders shows predominance of one of these successive stages predominates; these testis may be classified accordingly.