Ultrastructure of the epithelium from the ovary wall of Dendrochirus brachypterus (Pteroidae, Teleostei).

The inner epithelium of the ovary wall in Dendrochirus brachypterus does not take part in egg production, as it does in other teleosts. The epithelium consists of columnar cells rich in mitochondria and secretory organelles. The distal ends of these cells hang free in the ovary lumen, separated from each other and densely covered by large microvilli. During reproduction the epithelium secretes large amounts of mucus that forms an envelope around the eggs produced from a spongy stroma of the ovary, and keeps the spawn afloat for 24 h.