Study of epidermis development in sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) larvae.

Fish skin is essential for survival, maintenance of body shape, and protection against the shock and infection. During week 1 of sturgeon larval development, the epidermis is thin and not differentiated in various layers yet, but by week 4-6 the thickness increases and various layers appear, depending upon the region of the body. Mucous cells differentiate early in development on the surface of epithelium and contain acid and neutral mucopolysaccharides. Primordial sensory buds are visible within the epithelia of the skin of the head in week 1 larvae, and become numerous during later larval development. Club cells are specialized epidermal cells that have an immune function and appear in the middle layer of the head and trunk epidermis on week 4.