Functional anatomy of the vomeronasal complex in the embryonic development of the pig ( Sus scrofa dom. )

Wöhrmann-Repenning, Angela; Barth-Müller, Ulrike

doi:10.4098/at.arch.94-35

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…It is possible that species with more altricial life-history traits use a more developed AOS in order to form mother-infant bonds. This appears to differ with suggestions that the AOS is particularly important for precocial infants [Evans, 2003;Wöhrmann-Repenning & Barth-Müller, 1994]. However, previous studies did not explicitly test for a positive association between specific life-history variables and the VNNE.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 48%

“…According to Leon et al [1984], the timing of behavioral indicators of olfactory competence, such as the first response to maternal odors, appears to relate to the same stage of olfactory bulb maturation in different species of rodents. Based on morphological evidence, a precocious functionality of the AOS was also suggested for pigs and sheep [Salazar et al, , 2004Wöhrmann-Repenning & Barth-Müller, 1994]. The selection for characteristics relating to early olfactory function (particularly AOS) may be linked to an early ''autonomous lifestyle'' in some mammals [Wöhrmann-Repenning & Barth-Müller, 1994].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on morphological evidence, a precocious functionality of the AOS was also suggested for pigs and sheep [Salazar et al, , 2004Wöhrmann-Repenning & Barth-Müller, 1994]. The selection for characteristics relating to early olfactory function (particularly AOS) may be linked to an early ''autonomous lifestyle'' in some mammals [Wöhrmann-Repenning & Barth-Müller, 1994]. Because primates are moderately precocial mammals [Grand, 1992] and vary with regard to life-history characteristics [Martin, 1990], they provide a valuable model for investigating whether early development of olfactory structures is linked to specific life-history variables.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Perinatal size and maturation of the olfactory and vomeronasal neuroepithelia in lorisoids and lemuroids

Smith

Alport

Burrows

et al. 2006

American J Primatol

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Explanations for the chemosensory abilities of newborn mammals focus primarily on food (milk) acquisition and communication (e.g., maternal-infant bonding). However, the relative importance of the main and accessory (vomeronasal) olfactory systems is hypothesized to differ at birth between altricial and precocial mammals. Strepsirrhines (lemurs and lorises) possess main and accessory olfactory systems, and vary in life-history traits related to infant dependency and maturation. Accordingly, this study examines the size and maturational characteristics of vomeronasal (VNNE) and olfactory (OE) neuroepithelia in strepsirrhines. Serially sectioned heads of 18 infant cadavers were examined microscopically for neuroepithelial distribution. Measurements were taken on the length of the nasal fossa on one side that was occupied by VNNE and OE. The data were corrected for body size using the cranial length or body mass, and were then examined for correlation with several life-history variables, as well as activity pattern. In addition, immunohistochemistry was used to identify cells in the VNNE and OE that express olfactory marker protein (OMP), a marker of mature olfactory neurons. Relative OE extent was not significantly correlated with any of the life-history variables. Relative VNNE length was negatively correlated with relative gestation length and relative neonatal mass (P<0.05). However, when we corrected for phylogenetic relationships, we found no significant correlations between either of the neuroepithelial measurements and life-history variables. Immunohistochemical findings suggest that OE has more OMP-reactive cells than VNNE in all species. OMP-reactive cells appear to be less numerous in diurnal species compared to most nocturnal species. These results indicate that the VNNE may be relatively longer at birth in altricial species. However, it remains uncertain how phylogeny and/or ontogeny may explain these findings.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 48%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Perinatal size and maturation of the olfactory and vomeronasal neuroepithelia in lorisoids and lemuroids

Smith

Alport

Burrows

et al. 2006

American J Primatol

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“…ns, nasal septum; vnc, vomeronasal cartilage. Repenning and Barth-Mueller (1994) presented an interesting hypothesis regarding the timing of the patency of ducts leading to the VNO in mammals. They proposed that the early (prenatal) patency exhibited by some mammals relates to earlier autonomy of the young (precociality).…”

Section: Figmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ontogenetic characteristics of the vomeronasal organ inSaguinus geoffroyiandLeontopithecus rosalia, with comparisons to other primates

Smith

Bhatnagar

Bonar

et al. 2003

American J Phys Anthropol

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It has been suggested that the variability of the primate vomeronasal organ (VNO) may be greater than previously thought, especially among New World monkeys. It is not clear to what extent VNO variation reflects ontogenetic, functional, or phylogenetic differences among primates. The present study investigated VNO anatomy in an ontogenetic series of two genera of callitrichid primates, in order to assess recent attempts to develop VNO character states and to examine the evidence for VNO functionality at different life stages. A sample of six Leontopithecus rosalia, one L. chrysomelas, and six Saguinus geoffroyi was serially sectioned and stained using various methods. Two adult Callithrix jacchus were also sectioned for comparative purposes. The VNO of each primate was examined by light microscopy along its entire rostrocaudal extent. VNOs of the tamarins were described to determine whether they fit into 1 of 3 character states recently attributed to various New World monkeys. At birth, the two species of tamarins differed in the nature of communication between the VNO and nasopalatine duct (NPD). Two of 3 neonatal S. geoffroyi exhibited a fused VNO duct in a more dorsal position (adjacent to the nasal cavity) compared to that of L. rosalia. The VNO duct communicated with the NPD and was patent in neonatal L. rosalia. Both species appeared to have an age-related increase in the amount of sensory epithelium in the VNO. Subadult L. rosalia had caudal regions of the VNO that were exceptionally well-developed, similar to those of strepsirhine primates. Compared to subadults, all adult callitrichids appeared to have more ventral communications of the VNO duct directly into the NPD. Adult S. geoffroyi and L. chrysomelas both had VNO sensory epithelium separated by multiple patches of nonsensory epithelium. This contrasted with the VNOs of C. jacchus, which had a nearly continuous distribution of receptors on all surfaces of the VNO. The findings indicate that tamarins have delayed maturation of the VNO epithelium, and that some species have little or no perinatal function. These results also suggest that ontogenetic changes in craniofacial form may alter the position of the VNO in tamarins. The present study supports the use of at least two character states to categorize the VNO of various callitrichids, but it is suggested that one of these, previously called "reduced sensory epithelium" should be instead termed "interrupted sensory epithelium." The distribution of VNO sensory epithelium does not appear to reflect phylogenetic influences; it is more likely a functional characteristic that varies throughout postnatal life. Therefore, this chemosensory system has a high degree of plasticity relating to age and function, which in some instances can confound the use of characteristics as phylogenetic traits. Further study is needed to quantify VNO receptors in various species to determine if functional differences exist and if some species have more precocious VNO function than others.

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“…Ecological explanations have been put forward to account for the precocious or delayed development of pa-tency in ducts leading to the VNO, such as the NPD, during prenatal ontogeny in certain mammals. One interpretation is that more rapid ductal development facilitates a more autonomous life immediately after birth, and hence altricial mammals experience slower maturation (Wöhrmann-Reppening and Barth-Mü ller, 1994). It has also been suggested that chemosensory reception can oc-cur in utero (Coppola and Millar, 1994;Schaal et al, 1998), although there are indications that mammals may vary in the rate of maturation of the VNO (Tarozzo et al, 1998;Oikawa et al, 2001;Malz et al, 2002).…”

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confidence: 99%

Ontogeny of the nasopalatine duct in primates

et al. 2003

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Ecological explanations have been put forward to account for the precocious or delayed development of patency in ducts leading to the vomeronasal organ (VNO) in certain mammals. Perinatal function may be related, in part, to the patency or fusion of the vomeronasal and nasopalatine (NPD) ducts. However, few studies have focused on NPD development in primates, which generally have a prolonged period of dependence during infancy. In this study we examined 24 prenatal primates and 13 neonatal primates, and a comparative sample of fetal mice and insectivores. In embryonic and early fetal Microcebus murinus, the NPD was completely fused, whereas in fetuses of later stages the duct was partially fused or completely patent. M. myoxinus of all stages demonstrated some degree of NPD fusion. In all other prenatal primates, the NPD was fused to some extent. Four prenatal insectivores (Tenrec ecaudatus) showed some degree of NPD fusion. In Mus musculus at 19 days gestation, the NPD was patent, although the anatomically separate VNO duct was fused. T. ecaudatus and most of the neonatal primates revealed complete NPD patency. An exception was Saguinus geoffroyi, which exhibited fusion of the NPD near the VNO opening. These observations may relate to differences in perinatal VNO function. The differences noted in our study suggest that M. murinus and M. myoxinus may differ in perinatal VNO functionality and perhaps in related behavior. Observations of neonatal primates suggest that NPD patency may be relatively common at birth and could serve other purposes in addition to being an access route for VNO stimuli. Anat Rec Part A 274A: 862-869, 2003.

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Functional anatomy of the vomeronasal complex in the embryonic development of the pig ( Sus scrofa dom. )

Cited by 10 publications

References 12 publications

Perinatal size and maturation of the olfactory and vomeronasal neuroepithelia in lorisoids and lemuroids

Perinatal size and maturation of the olfactory and vomeronasal neuroepithelia in lorisoids and lemuroids

Ontogenetic characteristics of the vomeronasal organ inSaguinus geoffroyiandLeontopithecus rosalia, with comparisons to other primates

Ontogeny of the nasopalatine duct in primates

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