A subpopulation of nervus terminalis neurons projects to the olfactory mucosa in Xenopus laevis.
Biocytin application to the normal or zinc sulfate-treated nasal cavity of Xenopus laevis was used to trace retrogradely neurons associated with the terminal nerve (TN). Immunocytochemistry was conducted to identify the relationship of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-immunoreactive (GnRH-ir) TN neurons with biocytin-labeled neurons. Neurons that accumulated biocytin were located in olfactory nerve fascicles close to the olfactory mucosa lining the caudal, medial, and rostral walls of the principal cavity. GnRH-ir fibers were observed only in the olfactory nerve fascicle projecting to the rostral edge of the principal cavity. In addition, GnRH-ir fibers did not contact biocytin-labeled TN neurons. We hypothesize that these two classes of neurons represent separate components of the TN.
Koza
J M
JM
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Wirsig-Wiechmann
C R
CR
D000818:Animals; D003391:Cranial Nerves / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D008239:Lysine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000294:innervation; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000737:chemistry; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000166:cytology*; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000166:cytology*; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000166:cytology; D014982:Xenopus laevis
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; C013411:biocytin; D008239:Lysine