A morphological study of regeneration of the goldfish elasmoid scales

Studies were carried out on the model of regeneration of mechanically removed elasmoid scales. Regenerating scales were morphologically analyzed using light and electron microscopy. It was found that the cells responsible for regeneration of the elasmoid scale plates could be classified as osteogenic elements. Little differentiated preosteoblasts were detected in the connective tissue of dermis on day 3 of regeneration, while partially calcified plates underlay osteoblasts on day 7. The scale cover was fully restored on day 14 and it took two days for each bone plate to be formed. Osteocytes, fully differentiated osteogenic elements, were found in the deepest regions of newly formed scales.