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y <br />9 <br />Immature.- Immature testes were small and threadlike. Ovaries <br />were small and contained no developing ova. The color varied from <br />pale gray to deep red, and the main blood vessels of the ovary were <br />not dilated. <br />Maturing.- Maturing testes were very large and the color varied <br />from pale pink to white. Ovaries in maturing females were enlarged, <br />contained developing ova, and varied in color from cream to orangish- <br />yellow. The blood vessels of the ovaries were dilated. Developing <br />ova were small (less than i mm diameter) and cream colored. The ratio <br />of ovary weight to body weight averaged 1:45. Scruggs (1957) reported <br />a ratio of 1:40 in South Carolina. <br />Mature.- Mature testes were very large, white, and they released <br />milt when the fish were gently stripped. Mature ovaries were very <br />large with developed ova and extremely dilated blood vessels. Color <br />ranged from pale green, with some cream colored ova, to a darker <br />green. As the ovaries approached ripeness ova became clear centered, <br />darker green, and approximately 1 to 1.5 mm in diameter. The ratio <br />of ovary weight to body weight averaged 1:11. Scruggs (1957) reported <br />a ratio of 1:10 in mature South Carolina bass. <br />Spent.- Spent ovaries were flabby, thick walled, and light <br />purple to dark purple colored. Spent testes were smaller than mature <br />testes, reddish-gray colored, and relatively dry or completely empty <br />when cut. Partially spent testes were difficult to determine. The. <br />main blood vessel was frequently loose and milt was less easily <br />extruded from suspected partially spent testes.