Activation of the cerebellum by olfactory stimulation in sexually naive male rats.
BACKGROUND
The cerebellum has been linked to multiple functions, such as motor control, cognition, memory, and emotional processing. As for its involvement in the sensory systems, the role of the cerebellum in the sense of smell remains unclear. We suggest that sexually naive male rats will present increased neuronal activity in the cerebellar vermis after being stimulated with almond odour or oestrous odour from receptive females.


METHODS
We compared activity in the cerebellar vermis using Fos immunoreactivity after olfactory stimulation. Stimulation took place during 60 min in a cube-shaped acrylic chamber with a double bottom. Stimuli were clean woodchip bedding, bedding with almond extract, and bedding taken from a cage of receptive females. Male rats were subsequently anaesthetised with intraperitoneal sodium pentobarbital. Cerebellar tissue was fixed with paraformaldehyde for later immunohistochemical analysis.


RESULTS
The number of Fos immunoreactive cells in all lobes of the cerebellar vermis was similar between groups stimulated with almond extract and with oestrous odour, and higher than in the clean woodchip group.


CONCLUSIONS
Stimulation of the main olfactory system (almond) and the accessory system (oestrous odour) increases Fos protein production in the granular layer of the cortex of the cerebellar vermis in naive male rats.
Centro de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, México. Electronic address: luisgarcia@uv.mx.
L I
LI
García
Centro de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
P
P
García-Bañuelos
Centro de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
G E
GE
Aranda-Abreu
Centro de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
G
G
Herrera-Meza
Centro de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
G A
GA
Coria-Avila
Centro de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
J
J
Manzo
D000818:Animals; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000502:physiology; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*
D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D012724:Sex Attractants
Capa granular; Cerebellum; Cerebelo; Conducta sexual; Estimulación olfativa; Fos; Granular layer; Olfactory stimulation; Sexual behaviour; Sexual cues; Señales sexuales