Histological and lectin histochemical studies of the vomeronasal organ of horses.
Abstract: The morphological characteristics and glycoconjugate composition of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) of the horse was investigated using histological, immunohistochemical, and lectin histochemical methods. The VNO is bilaterally located at the base of the nasal septum, has a tubular structure surrounded by cartilage, and consists of sensory and non-sensory epithelia. Immunohistochemical examination showed that the vomeronasal sensory epithelium (VSE) consisted of receptor cells positive for both olfactory marker protein (OMP) and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), supporting cells, and basal cells. VNO receptor cells were positive for G protein Gαi2 (vomeronasal receptor type 1 marker), but not Gαo (vomeronasal receptor type 2 marker). Lectin histochemical studies using 21 biotinylated lectins showed that the free border of the VSE was positive for 20 lectins. The receptor and supporting cells reacted with 16 lectins while the basal cells reacted with 15 lectins, with varying intensities. In the vomeronasal non-sensory epithelium, the free border was positive for 19 lectins. The cilated cells were positive for 17 lectins and the basal cells were positive for 15 lectins. The vomeronasal glands, positioned in the lamina propria, were stained with both periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and alcian blue (pH 2.5). Eighteen lectins stained the acinar cells of the vomeronasal glands with various binding patterns. These findings suggest that horse VNO receptor cells express vomeronasal receptor type 1, and the VNO glands have mucous to seromucous characteristics. Moreover, each lectin differentially binds each cell type in both the VNO sensory and non-sensory epithelia.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2016-05-14 PubMed ID: 27233915DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2016.05.002Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research focuses on examining the morphological features and glycoconjugate makeup of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) in horses using various methods such as histology, immunohistochemistry, and lectin histochemistry. Preliminary findings suggest that the VNO receptor cells express vomeronasal receptor type 1, and the VNO glands have mucous to seromucous characteristics with different types of cells uniquely binding to different lectins.
VNO Location, Structure, and Components
- The vomeronasal organ (VNO) of the horse was found to be positioned bilaterally at the base of the nasal septum, presenting a tubular structure enveloped by cartilage.
- The organ is made up of sensory and non-sensory epithelia.
- An immunohistochemical study revealed that the vomeronasal sensory epithelium (VSE) is composed of receptor cells positive for both olfactory marker protein (OMP) and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), supporting cells, and basal cells.
Characteristics of VNO Receptor Cells
- The VNO receptor cells showed positivity for G protein Gαi2 (a vomeronasal receptor type 1 marker), but did not exhibit the presence of Gαo (a vomeronasal receptor type 2 marker).
Lectin Histochemical Studies
- The research utilized 21 biotinylated lectins for lectin histochemical studies.
- The VSE’s free border was positive for 20 of these lectins.
- Receptor and supporting cells reacted with 16 lectins, exhibiting variable intensities.
- Whereas, the basal cells reacted with 15 lectins.
- In the non-sensory epithelium of the VNO, the free border was positive for 19 lectins.
- The cilated cells were positive for 17 lectins, and the basal cells were positive for 15 lectins.
Characteristics of the VNO Glands
- The vomeronasal glands, situated in the lamina propria, were stained with both periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and alcian blue (pH 2.5).
- Eighteen lectins stained the acinar cells of the vomeronasal glands with varied binding patterns.
Conclusions
- Based on these findings, the study suggested that horse VNO receptor cells express vomeronasal receptor type 1.
- The VNO glands displayed mucous to seromucous characteristics.
- It was also observed that each lectin differentially binds to each cell type within both the sensory and non-sensory epithelia of the VNO.
Cite This Article
APA
Lee KH, Park C, Kim J, Moon C, Ahn M, Shin T.
(2016).
Histological and lectin histochemical studies of the vomeronasal organ of horses.
Tissue Cell, 48(4), 361-369.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tice.2016.05.002 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea; Seowon Equine Clinic, Iljudong-ro 38, Jeju 63295, Republic of Korea.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Molecular Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Uehara 207, Nishihara, Okinawa 9030215, Japan.
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Medical Institute, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea.
- School of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: healthy@jejunu.ac.kr.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: shint@jejunu.ac.kr.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Epithelial Cells / metabolism
- Horses
- Lectins / biosynthesis
- Lectins / isolation & purification
- Lectins / metabolism
- Olfactory Marker Protein / isolation & purification
- Olfactory Marker Protein / metabolism
- Olfactory Mucosa / cytology
- Ubiquitin Thiolesterase / biosynthesis
- Vomeronasal Organ / anatomy & histology
- Vomeronasal Organ / cytology
- Vomeronasal Organ / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Buzek A, Serwańska-Leja K, Zaworska-Zakrzewska A, Kasprowicz-Potocka M. The Shape of the Nasal Cavity and Adaptations to Sniffing in the Dog (Canis familiaris) Compared to Other Domesticated Mammals: A Review Article.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 19;12(4).
- Torres MV, Ortiz-Leal I, Villamayor PR, Ferreiro A, Rois JL, Sanchez-Quinteiro P. Does a third intermediate model for the vomeronasal processing of information exist? Insights from the macropodid neuroanatomy.. Brain Struct Funct 2022 Apr;227(3):881-899.
- Villamayor PR, Cifuentes JM, Fdz-de-Troconiz P, Sanchez-Quinteiro P. Morphological and immunohistochemical study of the rabbit vomeronasal organ.. J Anat 2018 Dec;233(6):814-827.
- 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.
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