Rhythm of development in the oocyte of the tilapia Oreochromis niloticus L. (Pisces: Cichlidae); a morphometric and histochemical study.

The ovary of the tilapia Oreochromis niloticus was studied morphologically and morphometrically; the zonas granulosa and radiata, the ooplasm and the yolk globules were studied histochemically. The ovary is of typical teleostean type consisting of a wall and developing oocytes. The development of oocytes has been divided into 10 cytological stages. Histochemically the zona radiata and yolk globules contain glycoprotein (neutral mucopolysaccharides and protein radicals alpha-amino groups, cystine, cystein, tyrosin, tryptophane, and arginine. The zona granulosa and ooplasm contain neutral and carboxylate acid mucopolysaccharides and protein radicals alpha-amino group, cystein, cystine, tyrosin, arginine, and tryptophane.