title: Histological and lectin histochemical studies of the vomeronasal organ of horses.
abstract: The morphological characteristics and glycoconjugate composition of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) of the horse was investigated using histological, immunohistochemical, and lectin histochemical methods. The VNO is bilaterally located at the base of the nasal septum, has a tubular structure surrounded by cartilage, and consists of sensory and non-sensory epithelia. Immunohistochemical examination showed that the vomeronasal sensory epithelium (VSE) consisted of receptor cells positive for both olfactory marker protein (OMP) and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), supporting cells, and basal cells. VNO receptor cells were positive for G protein Gαi2 (vomeronasal receptor type 1 marker), but not Gαo (vomeronasal receptor type 2 marker). Lectin histochemical studies using 21 biotinylated lectins showed that the free border of the VSE was positive for 20 lectins. The receptor and supporting cells reacted with 16 lectins while the basal cells reacted with 15 lectins, with varying intensities. In the vomeronasal non-sensory epithelium, the free border was positive for 19 lectins. The cilated cells were positive for 17 lectins and the basal cells were positive for 15 lectins. The vomeronasal glands, positioned in the lamina propria, were stained with both periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and alcian blue (pH 2.5). Eighteen lectins stained the acinar cells of the vomeronasal glands with various binding patterns. These findings suggest that horse VNO receptor cells express vomeronasal receptor type 1, and the VNO glands have mucous to seromucous characteristics. Moreover, each lectin differentially binds each cell type in both the VNO sensory and non-sensory epithelia.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea; Seowon Equine Clinic, Iljudong-ro 38, Jeju 63295, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang-Hyup
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Changnam
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Uehara 207, Nishihara, Okinawa 9030215, Japan.
authors.forename: Jeongtae
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Medical Institute, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Changjong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: healthy@jejunu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Meejung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: shint@jejunu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Taekyun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006736:Horses; D037102:Lectins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D051842:Olfactory Marker Protein / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000166:cytology*; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019147:Vomeronasal Organ / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D037102:Lectins; D051842:Olfactory Marker Protein; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase
keywords: Carbohydrate; Horse; Lectin; Vomeronasal organ