Seasonal patterns of gonad size, liver size, and in vitro gonadal steroidogenic capacity in slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus)

The objective of this study was to characterize the reproductive seasonality of slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus), a small-bodied, benthic spring spawning species. Sculpin are unique compared with other temperate fish species because they have a reproductive pattern where gonadal maturation occurs over winter in northern areas of its distribution. Previous studies have involved pre-spawning sampling (early spring in North America) and …