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Seasonal Changes in the Histochemical Properties of the Olfactory Epithelium and Vomeronasal Organ in the Japanese Striped Snake, Elaphe quadrivirgata
Author(s) -
Kondoh D.,
Yamamoto Y.,
Nakamuta N.,
Taniguchi K.,
Taniguchi K.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
anatomia, histologia, embryologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1439-0264
pISSN - 0340-2096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0264.2011.01101.x
Subject(s) - vomeronasal organ , biology , hibernation (computing) , sialic acid , olfactory epithelium , seasonal breeder , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , endocrinology , medicine , ecology , biochemistry , state (computer science) , algorithm , computer science
With 5 figures and 5 tables Summary Seasonal changes in the histochemical properties of the vomeronasal and olfactory epithelia of the Japanese striped snake were examined in four seasons, viz. the reproductive, pre‐hibernating, hibernating and post‐hibernating seasons. In the vomeronasal and olfactory supporting cells, secretory granules were much more abundant in the hibernating season than in the other seasons. In the vomeronasal and olfactory receptor cells, the lipofuscin granules were much fewer in the post‐hibernating season than in the other seasons. In histochemical studies with 21 lectins, several lectins stained the vomeronasal and olfactory epithelia (receptor cells, supporting cells and free border) more weakly in the hibernating season than in the reproductive season. However, all lectins stained both epithelia in the hibernating season after sialic acid removal in a similar manner as in the reproductive season after sialic acid removal. These lectin histochemical studies indicate that sialic acid residues in the vomeronasal and olfactory epithelia are more numerous in the hibernating season than in the reproductive season. The results suggest that during hibernation, the vomeronasal and olfactory receptor cells possibly undergo rapid cell turnover, and that during this time, the vomeronasal and olfactory epithelia are securely protected from pathogens by an innate immune defence system.