ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDY ON THE SCLEROBLAST OF ORYZIAS LATIPES DURING ETHISTERONE-INDUCED ANAL-FIN PROCESS FORMATION

Cytodifferentiation of the scleroblast during ethisterone-induced anal-fin process formation in adult females of Oryzias latipes was observed electron-microscopically. Scleroblasts seem to arise from immature mesenchymal cells located not only along the postero-external margin of the joint plates, but also in the space between paired joint plates. These cells contained a small nucleus with condensed chromatin and a very small amount of cytoplasm with a marked paucity of formed organelles. These cells proliferated and/or migrated to the process-forming site of the joint plates and aggregated to the mass. Young scleroblasts were spindle-shaped in profile and contained an enlarged nucleus with dispersed chromatin. Rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum was developed in the cytoplasm. Scleroblasts became oval in shape and commenced to secrete bone matrix. Well-developed scleroblasts were characterized by an extensive development of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. This seems to correlate with the active protein synthesis required by the scleroblast for laying down bone matrix. As the young horny process developed, scleroblasts covered its apex, and became flattened. Some scleroblasts which became enclosed in the developing matrix had much the same characteristics as when they were lying on its surface.