Morphology of Abnormal Columns of Mesenchyme Cells in the Channel Catfish, Ictalurus Punctatus.
During recent years , I have utilized several thousand young channel catfish or fry for several different studies. A few years ago, I noticed an increase in the number of adipose fins which showed fin ray-like structures. Fin rays in adipose fin of fish are rare. Assuming that the said structures were fin rays, I proceeded to study them, histologically. Upon microscopic examination, it was discovered that there was a complete absence of fin ray elements. In an effort to understand the structural changes responsible for the appearance of the ray-like elements , an electron microscopic analysis was undertaken.Fish used in this study were secured from several different catfish farms located in the Grambling area; however, all seem to be linked to a common source from which brood stock had been purchased. The specimen used in this study ranged in length from 7.5 centimeters to 15.0 centimeters and were approximately four to six months in age.