Distribution and histochemical studies of Goblet mucous cells in different regions of epidermis in mature male and female Silver carp fish

    Fish epidermis contains goblet mucous cells which their primary function is to secrete mucous to skin. For  histometrical and histochemical studies of these cells, at least 10 mature male and female silver carp fish were selected and 5 mm thickness samples were taken from different parts of  skin including head, dorsum, region, venter region and tail. 5-6µ sections were made using paraffin embedding methods, and stained by H&E, PAS, AB (pH=2.5), AB (pH=1) and AB (pH=2.5) PAS. Number of goblet cells were counted in 100 µm length of epidermis in each regions. The results showed that there are small and ellipsoid to polyhedral cells called goblet cells in different regions of silver carp epidermis. These cells have positive reaction to PAS staining which it showing the neutral property of mucous secretion of these cells. The skin of silver carp fish can be divided on the basis of goblet cells distribution in different parts of epidermis (head, dorsal regions, ventral regions and tail). The results revealed that male silver carp fish has maximum goblet cells in head skin but the female has maximum in dorsal skin. The number of these cells in tail part of male and female are relatively same.