점농어, Lateolabrax maculatus의 성분화 과정을 밝히기 위해 부화 직후부터 365일령까지 생식소의 분화 및 발달을 조사하였다. 원시생식세포와 생식융기는 부화 후 30일령(전장: 11.7~13.2 mm)에 나타났으며,40일령 자어(12.5~14.0 mm)에서 서로 융합되어 미분화 생식소를 형성하였다. 60일령 치어(23.6~27.0 mm)에서는 생식소 양쪽 끝의 체세포조직이 분열ㆍ신장되어 난소의 분화가 개시되었고, 80일령 치어(33.1~
Sex differentiation process of the spotted sea bass, Lateolabrax maculatus, was investigated by histological method. The fish samples were collected from just after hatching to 365 days later. The primordial germ cells and genital ridge were appeared separately hanging under air bladder in 30-day larva (total length: 11.7~13.2 mm), and were unified into the undifferentiated gonads in 40-day larva (12.5~14.0 mm). The ovarian differentiation was started in 60-day juvenile (23.6~27.0 mm). The somatic tissues were elongated in tip of both ends of undifferentiated gonad and were fused each other. The complete ovarian cavity was appeared in 80-days juvenile(33.1~42.5 mm). The testicular differentiation was initiated in 70-day juvenile (24.8~31.6 mm). The rudiment of sperm duct was appeared in the center of the undifferentiated gonad. The meiosis of germ cells in the ovary was started in 168-day juvenile (88.0~115.4 mm). In 287-day juvenile (175.1~233.6 mm), the ovary was filled with both of chromatin stage and perinucleolus stage oocytes. The meiosis of male germ cells was started in 245-day juvenile (124.4~168.3 mm). However, the seminiferous tubules of testis were filled with numerous sperm in 365-day juvenile (162.5~253.8 mm). The sex ratio of male and female was 1:1.38. Considering these results, the spotted sea bass was showed differentiated type in sex differentiation and gonochorism in sexuality.