Comparative morphology and histochemistry of glands associated with the vomeronasal organ in humans, mouse lemurs, and voles

Roslinski, Dana L.; Bhatnagar, Kunwar P.; Burrows, Annie M.; Smith, Timothy D.

doi:10.1002/1097-0185(20000901)260:1<92::aid-ar100>3.0.co;2-#

Cited by 41 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…) and lemurs (Roslinski et al. ), the rabbit glands stained for neutral mucopolysaccharides with PAS but not for acid mucopolysaccharides with Alcian blue. Other species either produce mostly Alcian blue‐positive serous components, as observed for the opossum (Poran, ), or share both types of secretions, as observed for bears (Tomiyasu et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological and immunohistochemical study of the rabbit vomeronasal organ

et al. 2018

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The characterization of the rabbit mammary pheromone, which is sensed by the main olfactory system, has made this species a unique model for the study of pheromonal communication in mammals. This discovery has brought attention to the global understanding of chemosensory communication in this species. Chemocommunication is mediated by two distinct organs located in the nasal cavity, the main olfactory epithelium and the vomeronasal organ (VNO). However, there is a lack of knowledge about the vomeronasal system in rabbits. To understand the role of this system, an exhaustive anatomical and histological study of the rabbit VNO was performed. The rabbit VNO was studied macroscopically by light microscopy, and by histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. We employed specific histological staining techniques (periodic acid‐Schiff, Alcian blue, Gallego's trichrome), confocal autofluorescence, histochemical labelling with the lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA‐I), and immunohistochemical studies of the expression of the Gαi2 and Gαo proteins and olfactory marker protein. The opening of the vomeronasal duct into the nasal cavity and its indirect communication with the oral cavity through a functional nasopalatine duct was demonstrated by classical dissection and microdissection. In a series of transverse histological sections, special attention was paid to the general distribution of the various soft‐tissue components of this organ (duct, glands, connective tissue, blood vessels and nerves) and to the nature of the capsule of the organ. Among the main morphological features that distinguish the rabbit VNO, the presence of a double envelope, which is bony externally and cartilaginous internally, and highly developed venous sinuses stand out. This observation indicates the crucial role played in this species by the pumping mechanism that introduces chemical signals into the vomeronasal duct. The functional properties of the organ are also confirmed by the presence of a well‐developed neuroepithelium and profuse glandular tissue that is positive for neutral mucopolysaccharides. The role of glycoconjugates was assessed by the identification of the α1‐2 fucose glycan system in the neuroepithelium of the VNO employing UEA‐I lectin. The pattern of labelling, which was concentrated around the commissures of the sensory epithelium and more diffuse in the central segments, is different from that found in most mammals studied. According to the expression of G‐proteins, two pathways have been described in the VNOs of mammals: neuroreceptor cells expressing the Gαi2 protein (associated with vomeronasal receptor type 1); and cells expressing Gαo (associated with vomeronasal receptor type 2). The latter pathway is absent in most mammals studied. The expression of both G‐protein families in the rabbit VNO places Lagomorpha together with rodents and insectivores in a small group of mammals belonging to the two‐path model. These findings support the notion that the rabbit possesses a highly developed VNO, with many spe...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological and immunohistochemical study of the rabbit vomeronasal organ

et al. 2018

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“…The present histological, histochemical and ultrastructual findings show that the bear VNO possesses three types of secretory cells: PAS-positive and AB-negative secretory cells of vomeronasal glands, PAS-positive and AB-positive multicellular intraepithelial gland cells and goblet cells. The VNO of most mammals that have been investigated (Salazar et al 1996(Salazar et al , 1997Roslinski et al 2000;Ibrahim et al 2013;Lee et al 2016;Kondoh et al 2017b) possesses either PASpositive and AB-positive secretory cells of the vomeronasal glands (cow, sheep and giraffe) or PAS-positive and ABnegative secretory cells (cat, horse, lemur and vole), in addition to goblet cells. Wallaby possesses only PAS-positive and AB-negative glands, although a few cells do react to AB (Schneider et al 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological and histological features of the vomeronasal organ in the brown bear

Tomiyasu

Kondoh

Sakamoto³

et al. 2017

Journal of Anatomy

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The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a peripheral receptor structure that is involved in reproductive behavior and is part of the vomeronasal system. Male bears exhibit flehmen behavior that is regarded as the uptake of pheromones into the VNO to detect estrus in females. However, the morphological and histological features of the VNO in bears have not been comprehensively studied. The present study investigated the properties and degree of development of the VNO of the brown bear by histological, histochemical and ultrastructural methods. The VNO of bears was located at the same position as that of many other mammals, and it opened to the mouth like the VNO of most carnivores. The shape of the vomeronasal cartilages and the histological features of the sensory epithelium in the bear VNO were essentially similar to those of dogs. Receptor cells in the VNO of the bear possessed both cilia and microvilli like those of dogs. The dendritic knobs of receptor cells were positive for anti-G protein alpha-i2 subunit (G ) but negative for anti-G protein alpha-o subunit indicating preferential use of the V1R-G pathway in the vomeronasal system of bears, as in other carnivores. The VNO of the bear possessed three types of secretory cells (secretory cells of the vomeronasal gland, multicellular intraepithelial gland cells and goblet cells), and the present findings showed that the secretory granules in these cells also had various properties. The vomeronasal lumen at the middle region of the VNO invaginated toward the ventral region, and this invagination contained tightly packed multicellular intraepithelial gland cells. To our knowledge, this invagination and intraepithelial gland masses in the VNO are unique features of brown bears. The VNO in the brown bear, especially the secretory system, is morphologically well-developed, suggesting that this organ is significant for information transmission in this species.

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“…Oikawa et al (1994) found chinchilla's (Chinchilla laniger) JG are positive to PAS reaction and negative to AB reaction. The morphology and histochemistry of the septal glands that empty into the nasal cavity has been described as either serous, mucous, or seromucous in nature (Roslinski et al, 2000). Alcyan blue and PAS reaction positivity varies between species: all JG are positive to PAS reaction in rats older than 7 days (Garrosa, 1986) whereas JG are negative to AB stain in pre and postnatal rats.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Androgen Receptor Distribution, PAS and Alcyan Blue Reaction in the Vomeronasal Organ and the Nasal Septum Mucosa of the Developing Male Rat

Chichet¹,

Genovese²,

Bielli³

2007

Int. J. Morphol.

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SUMMARY:The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a tubular chemoreceptory organ which detects environmental pheromones and is essential for mammalian normal reproductive activity. A sensitive chemoreceptory neuroepithelium lines the concave VNO wall and the opposite, convex wall is lined by a seudostratified, receptor-free epithelium. The secretion of the Jacobson glands (JG) -tubuloacinary glands lying in the lamina propia of the VNO -is essential for pheromones contacting vomeronasal organ chemoreceptors. Tubuloacinary glands lying in the connective tissue of the nasal septum mucosa (Bowman glands), can be classified as ventral and dorsal, according to their location. Positivity to PAS and Alcyan blue reactions and androgen receptor immunolocalization was evaluated with a semiquantitative system (0, 1, 2 or 3 crosses) in JG, ventral Bowman glands (VBG), dorsal Bowman glands (DBG), sensitive chemoreceptory neuroepithelium (Ne), receptor-free epithelium (RFE) and nasal septum respiratory epithelium (RE) histological slides of male rats at 5, 15, 25 and 35 days of age. The VBG and JG were intensely positive to PAS reaction since 5 days of age, and weakly positive to Alcyan blue reaction (AB) since 15 days of age, but not at 5 days of age. Both JG and VBG were strongly positive to androgen receptor immunolocalization at all ages studied (15, 25 and 35 days of age). DBG were always negative to both PAS and AB reactions. The NE and the RFE and nasal mucosa luminar epithelium were negative. To our knowledge, this is the first report of androgen receptor (AR) immunolocalization in the vomeronasal organ and the nasal septum mucosa. The present results also suggest an influence of androgens on the mechanism of pheromones contacting with the Ne of the VNO through regulation of the Jacobson glands secretion.

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Comparative morphology and histochemistry of glands associated with the vomeronasal organ in humans, mouse lemurs, and voles

Cited by 41 publications

References 46 publications

Morphological and immunohistochemical study of the rabbit vomeronasal organ

Morphological and immunohistochemical study of the rabbit vomeronasal organ

Morphological and histological features of the vomeronasal organ in the brown bear

Androgen Receptor Distribution, PAS and Alcyan Blue Reaction in the Vomeronasal Organ and the Nasal Septum Mucosa of the Developing Male Rat

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