Title: | Neuroanatomical and Immunohistological Study of the Main and Accessory Olfactory Bulbs of the Meerkat (Suricata suricatta) |
Author(s): | Torres MV; Ortiz-Leal I; Ferreiro A; Rois JL; Sanchez-Quinteiro P; |
Address: | "Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, Av. Carballo Calero s/n, 27002 Lugo, Spain. Marcelle Nature Park, Outeiro de Rei, 27154 Lugo, Spain" |
ISSN/ISBN: | 2076-2615 (Print) 2076-2615 (Electronic) 2076-2615 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "We approached the study of the main (MOB) and accessory olfactory bulbs (AOB) of the meerkat (Suricata suricatta) aiming to fill important gaps in knowledge regarding the neuroanatomical basis of olfactory and pheromonal signal processing in this iconic species. Microdissection techniques were used to extract the olfactory bulbs. The samples were subjected to hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl stains, histochemical (Ulex europaeus agglutinin, Lycopersicon esculentum agglutinin) and immunohistochemical labelling (Galphao, Galphai2, calretinin, calbindin, olfactory marker protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein, microtubule-associated protein 2, SMI-32, growth-associated protein 43). Microscopically, the meerkat AOB lamination pattern is more defined than the dog's, approaching that described in cats, with well-defined glomeruli and a wide mitral-plexiform layer, with scattered main cells and granular cells organized in clusters. The degree of lamination and development of the meerkat MOB suggests a macrosmatic mammalian species. Calcium-binding proteins allow for the discrimination of atypical glomerular subpopulations in the olfactory limbus between the MOB and AOB. Our observations support AOB functionality in the meerkat, indicating chemosensory specialization for the detection of pheromones, as identified by the characterization of the V1R vomeronasal receptor family and the apparent deterioration of the V2R receptor family" |
Keywords: | Carnivora G proteins Herpestidae Suricata suricatta atypical glomeruli immunohistochemistry lectins meerkat olfactory bulb olfactory system vomeronasal system; |
Notes: | "PubMed-not-MEDLINETorres, Mateo V Ortiz-Leal, Irene Ferreiro, Andrea Rois, Jose Luis Sanchez-Quinteiro, Pablo eng Switzerland 2022/01/12 Animals (Basel). 2021 Dec 31; 12(1):91. doi: 10.3390/ani12010091" |