The fine structure of teleost epidermis: II. Mucous cells

Abstract

Mucous cells which resemble intestinal goblet cells appear throughout the epidermis of teleosts but vary in number in different body regions and species. The ergastoplasm is highly developed in immature mucous cells. Several systems of Golgi membranes are found and seem to be foci of mucogenesis. Clear vesicles appear near the convex surface of the curved Golgi lamellae and vesicles containing a relatively dense material are seen at the concave surface, adjacent to the developing mucous droplets. Mucogenesis in the epidermis of teleosts appears to involve transport from the ergastoplasm through the Golgi complex to the mucous droplets. At a later stage the droplets fill nearly the entire cell. Mature mucous cells often are opened at the surface of the epidermis indicating a release of their secretion.