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Home / Equine Research Bank / Cell Tissue Res / Fine structure of the epithelia of the vomeronasal organ of ...
Cell and tissue research1985; 240(1); 41-48; doi: 10.1007/BF00217556

Fine structure of the epithelia of the vomeronasal organ of horse and cattle. A comparative study.

Abstract: The vomeronasal organ of both horses and cattle is a tubular structure situated bilaterally at the base of the nasal septum. In frontal plane the shape of its lumen is semilunar to crescent. The sensory epithelium lining the medial wall of the lumen contains receptor, supporting and basal cells with some surface modifications in both species. In the horse, a structure similar to a microprocess was observed among the microvilli of receptor cells. In cattle, a large mass of the cytoplasm of the receptor cell occasionally protrudes to form a bleb-like structure. The supranuclear cytoplasm of the receptor cells contain mitochondria, free ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticula, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes and multivesicular bodies. Some receptor cells were pyknotic. In both species the respiratory epithelia of the lateral wall of the lumen contain ciliated, non-ciliated and basal cells. In the horse, this epithelium differs from that of other species in evidence of prominent secretory function.
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Publication Date: 1985-01-01 PubMed ID: 3995545DOI: 10.1007/BF00217556Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article examines the fine structures of the vomeronasal organ, a sensory organ, in horses and cattle. The researchers compare the differences between these two species and reveal unique cellular structures and attributes.

Vomeronasal Organ Structure

  • The vomeronasal organ (VNO) in both horses and cattle is described as a tubular structure located bilaterally at the base of the nasal septum.
  • In a frontal plane view, the cavity or ‘lumen’ of this organ appears semilunar to crescent in shape.
  • It is also noted that this organ’s sensory epithelium, which lines the medial wall of the lumen, houses receptor, supporting, and basal cells. These cells show some surface modifications in both animal species.

Species-Specific Findings

  • In horses, the study found a structure akin to a microprocess among the microvilli of receptor cells.
  • Contrarily, in cattle, sometimes a large section of the receptor cell’s cytoplasm extends out to form a ‘bleb-like’ structure.

Cellular Structures in Receptor Cells

  • The researchers reported that the supranuclear cytoplasm of the receptor cells contain mitochondria, free ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticula, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and multivesicular bodies.
  • Some receptor cells were found to be pyknotic, implying these cells are in a state of genetic condensate before cell death.

Respiratory Epithelia Structure

  • In both species, the respiratory epithelia of the lateral wall of the lumen contain ciliated, non-ciliated, and basal cells.
  • In horses, this epithelium differentiates from that of other species by exhibiting a prominent secretory function.

Cite This Article

APA
Taniguchi K, Mikami S. (1985). Fine structure of the epithelia of the vomeronasal organ of horse and cattle. A comparative study. Cell Tissue Res, 240(1), 41-48. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00217556

Publication

Cell and tissue research
ISSN: 0302-766X
NlmUniqueID: 0417625
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 240
Issue: 1
Pages: 41-48

Researcher Affiliations

Taniguchi, K
    Mikami, S

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Cattle / anatomy & histology
      • Epithelium / ultrastructure
      • Female
      • Horses / anatomy & histology
      • Male
      • Microscopy, Electron
      • Nasal Cavity / ultrastructure
      • Nasal Septum / ultrastructure
      • Respiratory System / ultrastructure
      • Sensation / physiology

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      Citations

      This article has been cited 6 times.
      1. Tomiyasu J, Kondoh D, Sakamoto H, Matsumoto N, Sasaki M, Kitamura N, Haneda S, Matsui M. Morphological and histological features of the vomeronasal organ in the brown bear. J Anat 2017 Nov;231(5):749-757.
        doi: 10.1111/joa.12673pubmed: 28786107google scholar: lookup
      2. Taniguchi K, Taniguchi K. Phylogenic studies on the olfactory system in vertebrates. J Vet Med Sci 2014 Jun;76(6):781-8.
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      3. Schneider NY, Fletcher TP, Shaw G, Renfree MB. The vomeronasal organ of the tammar wallaby. J Anat 2008 Aug;213(2):93-105.
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      4. Salazar I, Sánchez-Quinteiro P, Alemañ N, Prieto D. Anatomical, immnunohistochemical and physiological characteristics of the vomeronasal vessels in cows and their possible role in vomeronasal reception. J Anat 2008 May;212(5):686-96.
        doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.00889.xpubmed: 18430091google scholar: lookup
      5. Carmanchahi PD, Aldana Marcos HJ, Ferrari CC, Affanni JM. The vomeronasal organ of the South American armadillo Chaetophractus villosus (Xenarthra, Mammalia): anatomy, histology and ultrastructure. J Anat 1999 Nov;195 ( Pt 4)(Pt 4):587-604.
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      6. Hong S, Ahn M, Moon C, Ortiz-Leal I, Sanchez-Quinteiro P, Kang T, Shin T. Histological evaluation of the alpaca (Vicugna pacos) vomeronasal organ. J Vet Med Sci 2024 May 6;86(5):458-462.
        doi: 10.1292/jvms.23-0430pubmed: 38508726google scholar: lookup
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