Cell and Tissue Journal

Abstract Aim: As there is not any comprehensive studies on cartilage tissue in Persian sturgeons and this valuable species is native in south coast of the Caspian Sea, in this reserch light and electron microscopic study of cartilage tissue of dorsal fin were provided to use in other related studies. Material and Methods: The routine procedures of preparation of tissues were followed for light microscopic study. Paraffin blocks were cut with a thickness of 6 microns, stained with H&E. For transmission electron microscopic study the samples after primary and post-fixation, were dehydrated and embedded in resin. Then, ultrathin sections of 50 nm were stained with uranyl acetate. Results: Light microscopic results showed that cartilage tissue of dorsal fin is made of prichondrium, chondroblast and chondrocyte and a large number of mature cells have the same origin and common lacunae. In ultrastructural studies chondroblasts have more aggregation of inter cellular organelles than the chondrocytes. This finding was prominent in upper age but membrane of cartilage tissue was not smooth in all age. Conclusion: Light and transmission electron microscopic studies of cartilage tissue of dorsal fin in Persian sturgeons were similar to the other species but a little difference were seen to be reported.