Changes

* Long before spawning, seasonal cues begin the process of maturation.  

* Long before spawning, seasonal cues begin the process of maturation.  

** In many fish, this can take up to a year.

** In many fish, this can take up to a year.

* When the gametes have matured, an environmental stimulus may signal the arrival of optimal conditions, triggering [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovulation]] and spawning.

* When the gametes have matured, an environmental stimulus may signal the arrival of optimal conditions, triggering [[Ovulation - Anatomy & Physiology|ovulation]] and spawning.

** Examples of environmental stimuli are:

** Examples of environmental stimuli are:

*** Changes in photoperiod

*** Changes in photoperiod

** Finally, the walls of the germinal vesicle break down, releasing the chromosomes into the cell.

** Finally, the walls of the germinal vesicle break down, releasing the chromosomes into the cell.

* After the egg has matured, prostaglandins are synthesized.

* After the egg has matured, prostaglandins are synthesized.

**  Stimulate [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovulation]]

**  Stimulate [[Ovulation - Anatomy & Physiology|ovulation]]

* The egg is then released into the body cavity or ovarian lumen, where it may subsequently be released to the outside environment.

* The egg is then released into the body cavity or ovarian lumen, where it may subsequently be released to the outside environment.

* Following [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovulation]], the viability of the eggs can decrease rapidly.

* Following [[Ovulation - Anatomy & Physiology|ovulation]], the viability of the eggs can decrease rapidly.

== Sex Determination ==

== Sex Determination ==