Immunohistochemical investigation of the vomeronasal organ. Nitric oxide synthase expression in the mouse during postnatal development.
The expression of nitric oxide synthase type I (NOS-I), the key enzyme for the synthesis of the gaseous neurotransmitter nitric oxide, was investigated by means of immunohistochemistry in the vomeronasal organ (VNO) of mice from postnatal day 1 for 2 months. The results show that NOS is expressed in extrinsic nerve supplying the developing erectile tissue of VNO (the so-called VNO pump) as well as blood vessels in the connective tissue laying under the receptor epithelium at postnatal day 1. At 8, 15 and 21 postnatal days, and at 2 months the density of NOS-1-immunoreactive nerves goes along with the development of the erectile tissue. From postnatal day 8 onwards, NOS-1-immunoreactive fibers are found also in the vicinity of the VNO glands. These data suggest that nitric oxide (NO) modulates VNO activity early after birth in the mouse.
Zancanaro
C
C
Institute of Anatomy and Histology, University of Verona, Italy. carloz@borgoroma.umvr.it
Mucignat-Caretta
C
C
Merigo
F
F
Cavaggioni
A
A
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D019147:Vomeronasal Organ / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase