Summary
In Teleost fish scales, growth and mineralization are continuous. Different mineralization processes can be distinguished. The external layer of the scale is the first to be mineralized and may be classified as the initial calcifying structure of the scale. The initial calcification loci are matrix vesicles of cellular origin always observed during the formation of this layer. This mineralization process takes place progressively, closely following the elaboration of the organic matrix in the scale periphery.
The outer limiting and internal layers of the scale are developed after the external layer has been formed. A mineral substance is deposited without the mediation of matrix vesicles, but in contact with the previously mineralized external layer. This type of mineralization is called subsequential. However, the mineralization of the outer limiting layer closely follows the secretion of a collagen-free organic matrix and is thus different from the mineralization of the internal layer in which the calcification front remains remote from the collagen matrix surface and corresponds to a delayed mineralization process.
The isolated calcifications (Mandl's corpuscles) which develop in the unmineralized laminae of the internal layer are mineralized in the absence of matrix vesicles and without making contact with a pre-existing calcified tissue, probably by a heterogeneous nucleation of the collagen fibrils.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson, H.C.: Matrix vesicle calcification. Fed. Proc. 35, 105–108 (1976)
Bachra, B.N.: Calcification in vitro of demineralized bone matrix. Calcif. Tissue Res. 8, 287–303 (1972)
Bachra, B.N.: Calcification of collagenous material in vitro as a model system for biological calcification. In: Calcium Metabolism, Bone and Metabolic Bone Diseases (F. Kuhlencordt and H.-P. Kruse, eds.), pp. 164–169. Berlin: Springer-Verlag 1975
Barone, J.P., Nancollas, G.H.: The seeded growth of calcium phosphates. The effect of solid/solution ratio in controlling the nature of the growth phase. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 62, 421–431 (1977)
Belton, J.C., Michaeli, D., Fundenberg, H.H.: Freeze-etch study of collagen. Arthritis Rheum. 18, 443–450 (1975)
Bernard, G.W.: Calcification. In: Cellular and Molecular Renewal in the Mammalian Body (J.L. Cameron and J.D. Trasher, eds.), pp. 373–379. New York: Academic Press 1971
Bernard, G.W.: Ultrastructural observations of initial calcification in dentine and enamel. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 41, 1–17 (1972)
Boivin, G.: Etude chez le rat d'une calcinose cutanée induite par calciphylaxie locale. I. Aspects ultrastructuraux. Arch. Anat. Microsc. Morphol. Exp. 64, 183–205 (1975)
Bonucci, E.: The locus of initial calcification in cartilage and bone. Clin. Orthop. 78, 108–139 (1971)
Bouteille, M., Pease, D.C.: The tridimensional structure of native collagenous fibrils, their proteinaceous filaments. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 35, 314–338 (1971)
Glimcher, M.J., Krane, S.M.: The organization and structure of bone and the mechanism of calcification. Treatise on collagen, Vol. II, Part B, pp. 68–251. New York-London: Academic Press 1968
Hashimoto, K.: Ultrastructure of freeze-cleaved dermal collagen. Acta Derm. Venereol. (Stockh.) 54, 241–248 (1974)
Höhling, H.J., Kreilos, R., Neubauer, G., Boyde, A.: Electron microscopy and electron microscopical measurements of collagen mineralization in hard tissues. Z. Zellforsch. Mikrosk. Anat. 122, 36–52 (1971)
Höhling, H.J., Barckhaus, R.H., Krefting, E.R., Quint, P., Althoff, gnJ.: Application of electron probe X-ray microanalysis to hard tissue formation. Microsc. Acta (suppl. 2), 113–129 (1978)
Kobayashi, S., Yamada, J., Maekawa, K., Ouchi, K.: Calcification and nucleation in fish-scales. Biomineralisation 6, 84–90 (1972)
Kölliker, A.: On the different types in the microscopic structure of the skeleton of osseous fish. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. (Biol.) 9, 656–688 (1859)
Lerner, H.: Polarisationsoptische Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Verkalkung der Knochenfischschuppen. Z. Zellforsch. Mikrosk. Anat. 39, 36–73 (1953)
Lillie, J.H., Mac Callum, D.K., Scaletta, L.J., Occhino, J.C.: Collagen structure: evidence for a helical organization of the collagen fibril. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 58, 134–143 (1977)
Lopez, E., Baud, C.A., Boivin, G., Lallier, F.: Etude ultrastructurale chez un poisson téléostéen l'anguille (Anguilla anguilla L.) des processus de minéralisation dans les cas d'une ossification périchondrale de l'arc branchial et d'une apposition secondaire dans l'os vertébral. Ann. Biol. Anim. Biochim. Biophys. 18, 105–117 (1978)
Maekawa, K., Yamada, J.: Some histochemical and fine structural aspects of growing scales of the rainbow trout. Bull. Fac. Fish., Hokkaido Univ. 21, 70–78 (1970)
Manabe, T., Kikkawa, Y.: Helical structure of human native collagen. Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. 100, 259–264 (1976)
Martino, L.J., Yeager, V.L., Taylor, J.J.: An ultrastructural study of the role of calcification nodules in the mineralization of woven bone. Calcif. Tiss. Intl. 27, 57–64 (1979)
Ozawa, H., Yamada, M., Takano, Y.: An electron microscopic study of the matrix vesicles-crystals relationship in the teeth of the killifish Oryzias latipes. Proc. 10th Intl. Cong. Anat. Tokyo, p. 389/2 (1975)
Rayns, D.G.: Collagen from frozen fractured glycerinated beef heart. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 48, 59–66 (1974)
Reed, R.: Freeze-etched connective tissue. Int. Rev. Connect. Tissue Res. 6, 257–305 (1973)
Schmidt, W.J.: Polarisationsoptische Analyse der Schuppen des Knochenfisches Capros aper. Z. wiss. Mikrosk. 60, 1–15 (1951)
Schönbörner, A.A.: La structure et la minéralisation de l'écaillé de quelques poissons téléostéens. Ph. D. thesis, University of Geneva, Geneva 1978
Slavkin, H.C.: The isolation and characterization of calcifying and non-calcifying matrix vesicles from dentine. In: International Colloquium of Physical Chemistry and Crystallography of Apatites of Biological Interest (G. Montel, ed.), Vol. 230, pp. 161–177. Paris: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 1975
Stolinski, C., Breathnach, A.S.: Freeze-fracture replication and surface sublimations of frozen collagen fibrils. J. Cell Sci. 23, 325–334 (1977)
Szirmai, J.A.: Structure of the intervertebral disc. In: Chemistry and Molecular Biology of the Intercellular Matrix (E.A. Balazs, ed.), Vol. III, pp. 1279–1308. London: Academic Press 1970
Szirmai, J.A., Van Raamsdonk, W., Galavazi, G.: Freeze-etch studies of the extracellular matrix of connective tissues. J. Cell Biol. 47, 209a (1970)
Yamada, J.: A fine structural aspect of the development of scales in the chum salmon fry. Bull. Jap. Soc. Sci. Fish. 37, 18–29 (1971)
Yamada, J., Watabe, N.: Studies on fish scale formation and resorption. I. Fine structure and calcification of the scales in Fundulus heteroclitus (Atheriniformes: Cyprinodontidae). J. Morphol. 159, 49–66 (1979)
Yamada, M., Ozawa, H.: Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies on the matrix vesicle calcification in the teeth of the killifish, Oryzias latipes. Arch. Histol. Jpn. 41, 309–323 (1978)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schönbörner, A.A., Boivin, G. & Baud, C.A. The mineralization processes in Teleost fish scales. Cell Tissue Res. 202, 203–212 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00232235
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00232235