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Chem Senses

Title:		Morphological evidence for two types of Mammalian vomeronasal system
Author(s):		Takigami S; Mori Y; Tanioka Y; Ichikawa M;
Address:		"Department of Basic Technics and Facilities, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neuroscience, 2-6 Musashidai, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8526, Japan"
Journal Title:		Chem Senses
Year:		2004
Volume:		29
Issue:		4
Page Number:		301 - 310
DOI:		10.1093/chemse/bjh032
ISSN/ISBN:		0379-864X (Print) 0379-864X (Linking)
Abstract:		"The vomeronasal (VN) systems of rodents and opossums are of the segregated type, i.e alpha-subtype G protein Gi2- or Go-expressing VN neurons, which are sensory cells, project discretely to the rostral or caudal region of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). Although this zone-specific projection is believed to be a common feature for processing pheromones in mammals, we previously found a uniform-type VN system in goat in which only Gi2-expressing VN axons terminate at the AOB. In most mammals, it remains unclear whether their VN systems are of the segregated or uniform type. Therefore, we investigated morphologically the VN systems of different mammalian species (dog, horse, musk shrew and common marmoset). Consequently, all VN axons of the examined animals were positively stained with immunohistochemistry for Gi2 in the same way as that in the goat. On the other hand, we observed immunoreactivities against Go in the olfactory axons, but not in the VN axons. These results suggest that many mammals have uniform-type VN systems, and at least two types of VN systems exist in terrestrial mammals. This morphological evidence will help us determine the processing function of VN systems"
Keywords:		"Animals Callithrix Cross Reactions Dogs Female GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunit, Gi2 GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go/chemistry/immunology Guinea Pigs Horses/anatomy & histology Immunohistochemistry Male Olfactory Bulb/*anatomy & histology Proto;neuroscience;"
Notes:		"MedlineTakigami, Shu Mori, Yuji Tanioka, Yoshikuni Ichikawa, Masumi eng Comparative Study Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2004/05/20 Chem Senses. 2004 May; 29(4):301-10. doi: 10.1093/chemse/bjh032"