| Title: | Non-oscillatory discharges of an F-prostaglandin responsive neuron population in the olfactory bulb-telencephalon transition area in lake whitefish |
| Address: | "Department of Zoology, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada R3T 2N2. fred_laberge@hotmail.com" |
| DOI: | 10.1016/s0306-4522(02)00717-0 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 0306-4522 (Print) 0306-4522 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Our previous studies on olfactory bulbar responses in salmonid fishes suggest that pheromone signals might be processed by a mechanism distinct from that of other odorants. Using in vivo single-unit and electroencephalographic recordings, we investigated response characteristics of olfactory neurons in lake whitefish, Coregonus clupeaformis, a species characterized by high electrophysiological and behavioral sensitivities to the reproductive pheromone candidates F-prostaglandins. We found a neuron population responsive to F-prostaglandins in the ventromedial brain tissue strip connecting the olfactory bulb to the telencephalon. Of the 64 neurons examined in this area, 33% showed excitatory and 11% inhibitory responses to F-prostaglandins, while 52% were non-responsive to all the stimuli tested. Both phasic and tonic F-prostaglandin neuron response patterns were observed during the 10-s stimulus period; some responses were delayed from the onset of stimulation, and some persisted for a long time following stimulus cessation. This neuron population did not induce synchronized oscillatory waves upon stimulation with F-prostaglandins, despite massive discharges. We demonstrate for the first time that the olfactory bulb-telencephalon area of the brain is a distinct neural structure through which putative reproductive pheromone signals are integrated. Amino acid and F-prostaglandin neuron population discharges have different temporal characteristics, suggesting different processing mechanisms exist for odorant and pheromone signals. The observed sustained neuron discharges may play a role in amplifying pheromone signals required for triggering stereotyped neuroendocrine and/or behavior changes" |
| Keywords: | "Animals Biological Clocks/*drug effects/physiology Fresh Water Neural Pathways/chemistry/drug effects/physiology Neurons/chemistry/*drug effects/physiology Olfactory Bulb/chemistry/*drug effects/physiology Prostaglandins F, Synthetic/analysis/*pharmacolog;neuroscience;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineLaberge, F Hara, T J eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2003/03/06 Neuroscience. 2003; 116(4):1089-95. doi: 10.1016/s0306-4522(02)00717-0" |
