Ovarian Development and Sexual Maturation of Female Striped Catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) Reared in Captivity

Developmental changes in the ovary of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) (initial weight 284±24.2 g; initial age 6 months) held in captivity were examined over an 8-month period. Ovarian development was assessed macroscopically and microscopically, and histological analysis was used to establish the stages of oocyte development. Oocyte development could be divided into eight stages, but oogonia and perinucleolar oocytes, considered as part of the initial growth phase, were observed in ovaries throughout the study period. The presence of more than two developmental stages of oocytes in a single ovary throughout the study period indicated that P. hypophthalmus possesses asynchronous ovaries. Sexual maturation was recorded in 13-14 month old females, when mean length was ≥ 46.99 ±1.04 cm, and body weight had reached ≥ 989.70±59.98 g. This indicates that the time required for P. hypophthalmus to attain sexual maturity is shorter in captivity than in the wild.