Authors : R S Bagade, DVNS Suresh and V V Baile
Page Nos : 175-184
Description :
Electron microscopic study is an important tool to characterize the fine structure of olfactory cells to understand the role of olfactory system at cellular level. In this work we are reporting the structure of olfactory system in G. mullya by electron microscopy. Olfactory rosette in this fish is oval in shape and has a central raphe from which radiate the lamellae on both the sides in parallel fashion. The surface epithelium of median raphe having the stratified epithelial cells (SEC) which provided with inconspicuous and conspicuous labyrinthine pattern micro-ridges, opening of mucous secreting goblet cells (GC) and long ciliated non sensory cells (cNSC) in the bundles. Each lamella is composed of two distinct regions, sensory and non sensory. Sensory epithelium is composed of abundant micro-villous receptor cells (MRC), ciliated olfactory receptor cells (cORC), mucous secreting goblet cells (GC), small rod like supporting cells (SC), stratified epithelial cells (SEC) and long ciliated non-sensory cells (cNSC). Transitional region of apical sensory and non sensory region shows stratified epithelial cells (SEC), supporting cells, micro-villous receptor cells and many mucous secreting goblet cells opening. Arrangement of microridges may protect the sensory epithelium from mechanical injuries and help in holding the mucus over the epithelium.
