The ovaries of the starfishAsterias rubenswere studied histologically and ultrastructurally. The reproductive system in female specimens consists of ten separate ovaries, two in each ray. Each ovary is made up of a rachis with lateral primary and secondary folds: theacini maioresandacini minores.The ovarian wall is composed of an outer and an inner part, separated by the genital coelomic sinus. The ovarian lumen contains oocytes in various phases of oogenesis, follicle cells, nurse cells, phagocytosing cells and steroid-synthesizing cells.
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