Role of the Vomeronasal Organ in Neonatal Offspring Recognition in Sheep1

Booth, Kenneth Kurt; Katz, Larry S.

doi:10.1095/biolreprod63.3.953

Cited by 43 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…It is unlikely that the effects of peripheral anosmia could be due to the lesion extending to the vomeronasal organ (Cohen-Tannoudji, Lavenet, Locatelli, Tillet, & Signoret, 1989;Lévy et al, 1995b) and this is further supported by the studies of the neurobiological processes involved in olfactory memory formation (see Section Physiological and Neurobiological Control of Maternal Responsiveness and Selectivity). However, there is one report in sheep suggesting that the establishment of olfactory recognition of the newborn depends on the accessory rather than on the MOB (Booth & Katz, 2000). The discrepancy between these results and the rest of the literature are probably due mainly to an ineffective lesion of the main olfactory mucosa associated with inadequate testing of anosmia (Poindron et al, 2003b).…”

Section: Sensory Cues Involved In the Establishment Of Maternal Selecmentioning

confidence: 90%

Maternal responsiveness and maternal selectivity in domestic sheep and goats: The two facets of maternal attachment

Poindron

Lévy

Keller

2006

Developmental Psychobiology

119

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Sheep and goats rapidly establish an exclusive relationship with their neonate following contact with it during a sensitive period of maternal responsiveness induced by the physiological events occurring at parturition. The data concerning the sensory, physiological, and neurobiological factors involved in the activation of both maternal responsiveness and the establishment of selective nursing indicates that these processes are activated simultaneously by the combined action of two main factors, the prepartum rise in circulating estrogen and the vaginocervical stimulation (VCS) caused by fetus expulsion. On the one hand, these two factors act on a neural network including the main olfactory system (MOB), the medial preoptic area (MPOA), and the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) to induce maternal responsiveness towards any neonate. The intracerebral release of oxytocin (OT) from the PVN, and the triggering of olfactory attraction for amniotic fluid (AF) are key elements in this process. On the other hand, VCS at birth also sets the MOB ready to memorize the individual odor of the neonate, through the release of peptides and neurotransmitters (noradrenaline and acetylcholine). In addition to the MOB, the network involved in recognition mainly includes the medial and cortical amygdala. Across consolidation processes, reorganization occurs in the network engaged in lamb recognition. Whether this memorization may be potentiated by other sensory cues is not known. The identification of the chemosensory compounds involved in the attraction for AF and in the recognition of the neonate is important for understanding the mechanisms of maternal attachment. ß 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 49: 54-70, 2007.

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Section: Sensory Cues Involved In the Establishment Of Maternal Selecmentioning

confidence: 90%

Maternal responsiveness and maternal selectivity in domestic sheep and goats: The two facets of maternal attachment

Poindron

Lévy

Keller

2006

Developmental Psychobiology

119

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“…Notably, primiparous and multiparious ewes continued to discriminate own from alien young, whereas rendering olfaction nonfunctional significantly disrupted maternal behaviors. Booth and Katz (2000) later reevaluated a role for the VNO in similar situations by cauterizing the opening of the VNO, thereby preventing access of chemosensory stimuli to receptor cells therein. As stated by the authors: "Cauterized ewes allowed alien lambs to suckle and they were unable to distinguish alien lambs from their own lambs, whereas the ewes .…”

Section: Pheromone Receptor: Likelihood Of a Human Vnomentioning

confidence: 99%

Facts, fallacies, fears, and frustrations with human pheromones

2004

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Among primates in general, pheromones are of variable importance to social communication. Data on humans have generated the greatest controversy regarding the existence of pheromonal communication. In this review, the likelihood of pheromonal communication in humans is assessed with a discussion of chemical compounds produced by the axilla that may function as pheromones; the likelihood that the vomeronasal organ (VNO), a putative pheromone receptor organ in many other mammals, is functional in humans; and the possible ways pheromones operate in humans. In the human axilla, the interactions between the cutaneous microflora and axillary secretions render this region analogous to scent glands found in other primates. Both the chemistry of axillary secretions and their effects on conspecifics in humans appear to be analogous to other mammalian pheromone systems. Whichever chemical compounds serve a pheromonal function in humans, another unknown is the receptor. Although the VNO has been implicated in the reception of pheromones in many vertebrates, it is not the only pathway through which such information has access to the central nervous system; there is ample evidence to support the view that the olfactory epithelium can respond to pheromones. Furthermore, if a chemical activates receptors within the VNO, this does not necessarily mean that the compound is a pheromone. An important caveat for humans is that critical components typically found within the functioning VNO of other, nonprimate, mammals are lacking, suggesting that the human VNO does not function in the way that has been described for other mammals. In a broader perspective, pheromones can be classified as primers, signalers, modulators, and releasers. There is good evidence to support the presence of the former three in humans. Examples include affects on the menstrual cycle (primer effects); olfactory recognition of newborn by its mother (signaler); individuals may exude different odors based on mood (suggestive of modulator effects). However, there is no good evidence for releaser effects in adult humans. It is emphasized that no bioassay-guided study has led to the isolation of true human pheromones, a step that will elucidate specific functions to human chemical signals.

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“…The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is the receptor organ of the accessory olfactory system, a neural pathway exposed to the external environment, and sends information by axons directly to the brain areas related with reproductive and maternal behaviors [2,3]. The VNO has been studied in many species including horses, sheep, goats, cows, dogs, cats, bats, mink, mice and human [2,3,5,8,14]. The VNO complex includes the epithelial tubes and several related structures, such as glands, nerves and blood vessels [11,26].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Lectin Histochemical Studies on the Vomeronasal Organ of the Sheep

Ibrahim

Nakamuta

Taniguchi

et al. 2013

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

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ABSTRACT. The vomeronasal organ of sheep was examined using lectin histochemistry in order to compare the types and amounts of the glycoconjugates among various components of the vomeronasal sensory and non-sensory epithelia. In the vomeronasal sensory epithelium, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) stained particular cells, located at the same level as the vomeronasal receptor cells, while the distribution, shape and number of the stained cells did not correspond to those of the vomeronasal receptor cells. Datura stramonium lectin (DSL), Concanavalin A (Con A), Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinin-E (PHA-E) and Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinin-L (PHA-L) labeled the basal cells of both vomeronasal sensory and non-sensory epithelia. While, Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), Succinylated-wheat germ agglutinin (s-WGA), Lycopersicon esculentum lectin (LEL), Solanum tuberosum lectin (STL) and Ricinus communis agglutinin-I (RCA-120) labeled the basal cells of the sensory epithelium, and Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin-I (BSL-I) stained the basal cells of the non-sensory epithelium, respectively. Seventeen lectins labeled the free border of both vomeronasal sensory and non-sensory epithelia, while Sophora japonica agglutinin (SJA), Jacalin and Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA) labeled neither free border of the sensory nor that of non-sensory epithelia. The expression pattern of glycoconjugate was similar, but not identical, in the free border between the sensory and non-sensory epithelia. These results indicate that there are dissimilar features in the type and amount of glycoconjugates between the vomeronasal sensory and non-sensory epithelia, and at the same time, among the various cell types either in the vomeronasal sensory or non-sensory epithelium.

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Role of the Vomeronasal Organ in Neonatal Offspring Recognition in Sheep1

Cited by 43 publications

References 42 publications

Maternal responsiveness and maternal selectivity in domestic sheep and goats: The two facets of maternal attachment

Maternal responsiveness and maternal selectivity in domestic sheep and goats: The two facets of maternal attachment

Facts, fallacies, fears, and frustrations with human pheromones

Lectin Histochemical Studies on the Vomeronasal Organ of the Sheep

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