The histological investigation of female reproductive organs of Rana dalmatina bonaparte, 1839 (Amphibia:Ranidae) in Çanakkale

In this study, seasonal alterations in the reproductive cycle of Rana dalmatina Bonaparte, 1839 was studied with histological investigations from April 2006- March 2007 in Behramlı village, Eceabat, Çanakkale. For this aim, ovary, oviduct, liver, fat body of 17 female individuals collected from studying area weighted after their lenght and weight were determined. Seasonal alterations were evaluated as mean and standart error in these organs. Also, previtellogenic, vitellogenic, postvitellogenic oocyte?s number were determined according to egg counting in ovaries. Then, these data were analysed as mean and standart error.Seasonal variation in female R. dalmatina?s reproductive organs were tried to carry out with histological investigations of ovary, oviduct. Oocyte types were characterized in the ovary sections at 5 ? micrometres with alcian blue dye staining cortical granule, mallory trichrome dye staining vitelline envelope and yolk platelets. Variation in the oviduct sectioned at 5 micrometres carried out with hematoxylin-eosin dye. Moreover, Glycogen was determined for examination of liver function in reproductive activity.Consequently, changes of the ovary followed these shown by the oviduct in autumn. In the season, ovary somatic index (mean 1,26) and oviduct somatik index (mean 4,46) were maksimum. Fat body somatic index was minumum (0,08) in autumn while maksimum (mean 1,04) in summer. Liver somatic index was minumum (mean 0,36) in spring while maksimum in autumn (mean 0,50). In autumn, at the first time, postvitellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes determined in ovary sections. Postovulatory follicle and atretic follicle were designated in spring. It was the essential changing in the oviduct?s mucosa that secretory granules showed seasonal alterations. Liver glycogen decreased in ovulation season.Keywords: Rana dalmatina, female reproductive cycle, oocyte stages, liver, glycogen, Çanakkale.