GAMETOGENESIS IN THE OYSTER UNDER CONDITIONS OF DEPRESSED SALINITY

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Abstract
Flood waters in the upper part of Chesapeake Bay in 1946-47 caused extensive mortalities in the oyster population. During the spring of 1947 salinity levels dropped to less than 4 ppm. and the water was frequently fresh. Histological examination of the gonads of 184 mature oysters collected regularly showed gametogenesis was almost completely inhibited in 90% of the population until Aug. when the salinity increased to 6 ppm. Following the continued increase in salinity, the physical condition of the oysters improved rapidly, but it required 5 months for gonad activity to reach same level as in control series of 221 oysters collected from adjacent reefs unaffected by floods. Marked variation and suppression of gonad activity is attributed to failure in food supply rather than to direct inhibition by less saline water. Sex ratios and extent of intersexuality in populations sampled agree with observations on Ostrea virginica in other localities.