Effects of starvation on the oocytes of Cyprinus carpio--a cytomorphological and histochemical study.

Effects of induced starvation on the morphology of the oocytic nucleus in Cyprinus carpio have been studied to assess the nature of structural aberrations caused and the adaptations induced in the oocytes during the period of stress on account of inanition. An attempt has also been made to study the fate of a number of metabolites during this period. It has also been observed that the nuclear membrane undergoes partial or complete degeneration and there is a proliferation in the number of nucleoli which tend to move into the cytoplasm. In addition, the degenerating oocytes tend to release most of the metabolites into the interstitial tissue surrounding the oocytes.