Epiplexus cells in the embryos of the turtle, Trionyx sinensis

The epiplexus cells in the embryos of the turtle, Trionyx sinensis were examined in scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Although the cells showed diverse morphological forms, the majority of the cells however had a stellate cell body each with 3-5 radiating long processes with secondary processes terminating on the ventricular surface of the choroid epithelial cells. The cell body was relatively smooth. Occasional epiplexus cells displayed blebs on their cell bodies and processes. In the transmission electron microscope, the nucleus contained coarse chromatin clumps. The cytoplasm was endowed with large lysosomal bodies. Based on these observations, it is suggested the epiplexus cells in the turtle embryos are phagocytic even though most of them probably are at the resting stage.