For the purposes of this study, only the oocyte types were quantified using stereological counts:
atresic oocytes (AO), immature healthy oocytes (IO), and mature healthy oocytes (MO) (Beninger 1987, Beninger et al.
An anaconda female, which was received by the Vital Brazil Institute's serpentary as a five year-old adult in 1976, and was kept in captivity without ever having contact with any males of the species, gave birth in August 2002 to 23 female individuals and 20
atresic eggs.
1E), whereas in tetraploids, the female acini closest to the male acini shows a large number of
atresic oocytes, and the separation of male and female gonad parts is not as marked as in diploids, with male acini projecting into the female acini area (Fig.
The spent stage prevailed from June through October 2000 and in October 2001, with ~11%
atresic oocytes.
The number of oocytes increased during July to August 2005, with another marked reduction in September 2005, followed by gradual reduction until only
atresic oocytes remained until December 2005.
Masses of basophilic clusters of
atresic oocytes were frequent.
A large number of
atresic oocytes (25.1%) were observed only in December 2002.
In females, small groups of oogonias, previtelogenic oocytes at different phases of maturity anchored on the follicular wall, some vitelogenic pedunculated or free oocytes in follicular lumen and
atresic oocytes are observed (Figs.