SEASONAL GONADAL CHANGES OF ADULT CLAMS, VENUS MERCENARIA (L.)

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Abstract
In adult [male][male] the post-spawning period, when the gonads are devoid of all but undifferentiated cells, is of brief duration. Production of a new crop of spermatozoa begins very soon after the completion of spawning. Mature spermatozoa may be found in the spermaries at the end of Sept. In Nov. the spermatozoa are already the most numerous cells in the gonad follicles, which at this time acquire an appearance of ripeness. Spermatogenesis continues at a reduced rate throughout the winter. Active spermatogenesis is resumed in June. In [female][female] the production of a new crop of eggs begins immediately after spawning. The chief growing period of young ovocytes is in the autumn. In Dec. and Jan. the gonads of many [female][female] already present a ripe appearance. Many of the ova ripen 21/2 mos. before the water reaches the critical spawning temp. Samples for this study were collected from Long Island Sound.

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