Anatomical, immnunohistochemical and physiological characteristics of the vomeronasal vessels in cows and their possible role in vomeronasal reception.
The general morphology of the vomeronasal vessels in adult cows was studied following a classic protocol, including optical, confocal and ultrastructural approaches. This anatomical work was completed immunohistochemically. The vomeronasal organ in cows is well developed, and its vessels are considerable in size. This fact allowed some functional properties of the vomeronasal arteries to be evaluated and, for the first time, their isometric tension to be recorded. Our functional studies were in agreement with the immunohistochemistry, and both corroborated the morphological data on the similarity between the vomeronasal vessels and those of the typical erectile tissue. In consequence, the vasoconstriction and vasodilation of the vomeronasal vessels would facilitate an influx and outflow of fluids in the vomeronasal organ, that is to say, this organ in cows would be able to work as a pump mechanism to send chemical signals to the vomeronasal receptor neurones.
Salazar
Ignacio
I
Department of Anatomy and Animal Production, Unit of Anatomy and Embryology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. anigsabe@lugo.usc.es
Sánchez-Quinteiro
Pablo
P
Alemañ
Nuria
N
Prieto
Dolores
D
D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000494:pharmacology; D002417:Cattle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D003391:Cranial Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000494:pharmacology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000032:analysis; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D019147:Vomeronasal Organ / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; C110881:S-nitro-N-acetylpenicillamine; D010396:Penicillamine; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D009638:Norepinephrine