Neural correlates of memory for odor detection conditioning in adult rats

The fine structure of the Harderian gland has been described in some animal species (hamster, rabbit, mouse, domestic fowl and albino rats). There are only two reports in the literature dealing on the ultrastructure of rat Harderian gland in adult animals. In one of them the author describes the myoepithelial cells in methacrylate-embbeded tissue, and the other deals with the maturation of the acinar cells and the formation of the secretory droplets. The aim of the present work is to analize the relationships among the acinar cell components and to describe the two types of cells located at the perifery of the acini.

Download Full-text

Biodegradable polyester neuroprostheses promote the reconnection of separated peripheral nerve stubs

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100130109 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. 1094-1095

Author(s):

Beverly L. Giammara ◽

Jennifer S. Stevenson ◽

Peggy E. Yates ◽

Robert H. Gunderson ◽

Jacob S. Hanker

Keyword(s):

Image Analysis ◽

Basement Membrane ◽

Periodic Acid ◽

Light And Electron Microscopy ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Type Iii Collagen ◽

Image Analysis System ◽

Biodegradable Polyester ◽

Adult Rats ◽

Type Iv

An 11mm length of sciatic nerve was removed from 10 anesthetized adult rats and replaced by a biodegradable polyester Vicryl™ mesh sleeve which was then injected with the basement membrane gel, Matrigel™. It was noted that leg sensation and movement were much improved after 30 to 45 days and upon sacrifice nerve reconnection was noted in all animals. Epoxy sections of the repaired nerves were compared with those of the excised segments by the use of a variation of the PAS reaction, the PATS reaction, developed in our laboratories for light and electron microscopy. This microwave-accelerated technique employs periodic acid, thiocarbohydrazide and silver methenamine. It stains basement membrane or Type IV collagen brown and type III collagen (reticulin), axons, Schwann cells, endoneurium and perineurium black. Epoxy sections of repaired and excised nerves were also compared by toluidine blue (tb) staining. Comparison of the sections of control and repaired nerves was done by computer-assisted microscopic image analysis using an Olympus CUE-2 Image Analysis System.

Download Full-text

High-voltage EM description of the types and distribution of sensory endings in the inner conical body of the rat vibrissal follicle-sinus complex

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s042482010015959x ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

pp. 410-411

Author(s):

Tony M. Mosconi ◽

Min J. Song ◽

Frank L. Rice

Keyword(s):

Mammalian Species ◽

Dorsal Side ◽

Hair Shaft ◽

Sensory Innervation ◽

Conical Body ◽

Adult Rats ◽

Perpendicular Plane ◽

Ultrastructural Studies ◽

Unmyelinated Axons ◽

Sensory Endings

Whiskers or vibrissal follicle-sinus complexes (F-SCs) on the snouts of many mammalian species are structures that have complex, dense sensory innervation. The innervation of F-SCs is remarkably similar in all species with the exception of one site - the inner conical body (ICB). The ICB is an elongated cylindrical structure that encircles the hair shaft near the neck of the follicle. This site has received only cursory attention in ultrastructural studies of the F-SCAdult rats were perfused after the method of Renehan and Munger2. F-SCs were quartered longitudinally and embedded separately in Epon-Araldite. Serial 0.25 μm sections were cut in either the longitudinal or perpendicular plane through the ICB and examined with an AEI EM7 1.2 MV HVEM (Albany, NY) at 1000 KV. Sensory endings were reconstructed from serial micrographs through at least 20 μm in the longitudinal plane and through 10 μm in the perpendicular plane.From two to six small superficial vibrissal nerves converge upon the neck of the F-SC and descend into the ICB. The nerves branch into smaller bundles of myelinated and unmyelinated axons along the dorsal side of the hair shaft.

Download Full-text

Olfactory Modulation of Steady- State Visual Evoked Potential Topography in Comparison with Differences in Odor Sensitivity

Journal of Psychophysiology ◽

10.1027//0269-8803.16.2.71 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 71-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Caroline M. Owen ◽

John Patterson ◽

Richard B. Silberstein

Keyword(s):

Steady State ◽

Visual Evoked Potential ◽

Evoked Potential ◽

Behavioral Responses ◽

Simultaneous Recording ◽

Odor Concentration ◽

Odor Detection ◽

Detection Response ◽

Response Groups ◽

Visual Evoked

Summary Research was undertaken to determine whether olfactory stimulation can alter steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) topography. Odor-air and air-only stimuli were used to determine whether the SSVEP would be altered when odor was present. Comparisons were also made of the topographic activation associated with air and odor stimulation, with the view toward determining whether the revealed topographic activity would differentiate levels of olfactory sensitivity by clearly identifying supra- and subthreshold odor responses. Using a continuous respiration olfactometer (CRO) to precisely deliver an odor or air stimulus synchronously with the natural respiration, air or odor (n-butanol) was randomly delivered into the inspiratory airstream during the simultaneous recording of SSVEPs and subjective behavioral responses. Subjects were placed in groups based on subjective odor detection response: “yes” and “no” detection groups. In comparison to air, SSVEP topography revealed cortical changes in response to odor stimulation for both response groups, with topographic changes evident for those unable to perceive the odor, showing the presence of a subconscious physiological odor detection response. Differences in regional SSVEP topography were shown for those who reported smelling the odor compared with those who remained unaware of the odor. These changes revealed olfactory modulation of SSVEP topography related to odor awareness and sensitivity and therefore odor concentration relative to thresholds.

Download Full-text