HISTOMORPHOLOGY OF ANDROGENIC GLAND AND ITS ROLE IN REPRODUCTION OF FRESHWATER PRAWN, MACROBRACHIUM LAMERRII

The histoinorphological studies were made on the androgenic gland of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium lamerrii and its role in the spermatogenesis is described. The androgenic gland is located near the seminal vesicle along the vas deferens of the male prawn. Histologically it is made up of cords of cells, which are loosely arranged. The nuclei are stained blue black and less cytoplasm was noted in the cells. The androgenic gland cells were active during major reproductive peak. The number of testicular acini were increased with the activity of the androgenic gland cells in the prawn, shows the relation between the androgenic gland activity and spermatogenesis. When androgenic gland activities decrease, the testes also lagged behind in its sperm production. Hence there is direct relation between androgenic gland activity and spermatogenesis in freshwater prawn, Microbrachium lamerrii.