The Accessory (Vomeronasal) Chemoreceptor System in Some Prosimians

Evans, Charles S.; Schilling, Alain

doi:10.1007/978-1-4757-2405-9_23

Cited by 25 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…7). Our findings on lectin reactivity in the strepsirrhine VNO agree with previous results of Evans and Schilling (1995) regarding UEA-1 (ϩ) VRNs and free border of the VNNE. These findings based on UEA-1 were also observed in rodents by Sá nchez Quinteiro (1998, 2003), who also found reactivity of the vomeronasal nerves, in common with the observations herein.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Comparative study of lectin reactivity in the vomeronasal organ of human and nonhuman primates

et al. 2005

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The main and accessory olfactory systems of certain mammals (e.g., rodents, ungulates, and carnivores) have been investigated using lectin histochemistry to probe for sugar residues that may reflect physiological aspects of signal transduction or development. Morphologically, the vomeronasal organs (VNOs) of strepsirrhine primates (lemurs and lorises) are typical of functional VNOs in other mammals, whereas in humans and chimpanzees the VNOs appear vestigial. However, the human VNO is considered functional by some authors. To elucidate the cellular nature of the VNO in human and chimpanzees, a panel of six lectins (Con-A, ECL, PNA, RCA, s-WGA, and UEA-1) was applied to the VNO in eight species of primates, including humans and chimpanzees. The results indicated that there were few, if any, lectin-reactive cells in the human or chimpanzee VNO that resembled those seen in the vomeronasal neuroepithelium in other primates. The overall pattern of lectin reactivity in the human and chimpanzee VNO is unlike that seen in mammals with chemosensory VNOs, suggesting that the VNO of these hominoids does not function similarly to that of other primates.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Comparative study of lectin reactivity in the vomeronasal organ of human and nonhuman primates

et al. 2005

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“…The findings of the present study suggest this is also true of the lorisiform Otolemur garnettii. Further investigations of the immunocharacteristics of the neonatal VNO are merited, especially since in another lorisiform, Nycticebus coucang, the VNO was described to be rudimentary at birth (Evans & Schilling, 1995; although it is welldeveloped in adults--- Hedewig, 1980b). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The vomeronasal organ of greater bushbabies (Otolemur spp.): Species, sex, and age differences

et al. 2005

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The present study examined interspecies, intersexual, and age-related changes in size of the vomeronasal neuroepithelium (VNNE) of two species of greater bushbabies (genus Otolemur, Infraorder Lorisiformes, Suborder Strepsirrhini). Tissue blocks containing the vomeronasal organs of nine O. crassicaudatus (8 adults, 1 neonate) and ten O. garnettii (9 adults, 1 neonate) were studied by means of serial paraffin sectioning and computer-based reconstruction of VNNE volume. In addition, the immunoreactivity of the VNNE to two neuronal markers, neuron-specific beta tubulin (BT) and olfactory marker protein (OMP) was compared between species, sexes, and ages. Results indicated that a clear VNNE is present at birth in both species, and OMP immunoreactivity was verified in O. garnettii at birth. Male and female adults of both species showed OMP-immunoreactive and BT-immunoreactive neurons in the VNNE. Immunohistochemical findings indicated that all males and the youngest females had the thickest VNNE, especially at the marginal junctions with the receptor-free epithelium. Results of a 2-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA, species x sex) revealed no significant differences in VNNE length or volume between species, but O. crassicaudatus had significantly ( p < 0.05) greater palatal length. Significant ( p < 0.05) differences also were found between sexes in VNNE volume, but no significant differences in palatal length or VNNE length. The distribution of VNNE volume against age indicated that the sex differences were more pronounced in O. crassicaudatus than O. garnettii. For both species and sexes, distribution of VNNE volume against age suggested an age-related reduction in volume. These findings demonstrate postnatal plasticity in VNNE size in Otolemur that is reminiscent of that found for olfactory structures in some rodents. Bushbabies or other strepsirrhine primates may offer an opportunity for further understanding of behavioral correlates of VNNE postnatal plasticity, which may represent primitive functional characteristics of the order Primates.Abbreviation: BT, beta tubulin; IHC, immunohistochemistry; OMP, olfactory marker protein; RFE, receptor-free epithelium; VNNE, vomeronasal neuroepithelium; VNO, vomeronasal organ; VRN, vomeronasal receptor neurons.

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“…Although all primates have a functioning MOB, the AOB and VNO are absent in catarrhines, with the exception of vestiges of the VNO found in some hominoids Smith et al, 2001). In species with both an MOB and an AOB, the two systems are not entirely independent (Meredith, 1991;Evans and Schilling, 1995;Johnston, 1998), but it is largely the accessory olfactory system that processes chemical cues pertaining to reproduction (Meredith, 1991;Schilling and Perret, 1993;Aujard, 1997). For instance, in mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus), removal of the VNO causes significant reduction of sexual behaviors (Aujard, 1997).…”

Section: Olfactory Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative analysis of the role of olfaction and the neocortex in primate intrasexual competition

Alport

2004

Anat. Rec.

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In strepsirrhine primates, the accessory olfactory system plays an important role in intrasexual competition. However, it does not play the same role in most haplorhines. In these primates, the main olfactory system and neocortex may have evolved to serve similar functions as the accessory olfactory system in strepsirrhines. To test these hypotheses, the relative size of the main olfactory bulb and neocortex were analyzed for associations with male and female competition frequency and intensity (categorized as low or high). Because neocortex size and competition intensity are associated with diet, only frugivorous species were analyzed (catarrhines, n ϭ 7; platyrrhines, n ϭ 8). Neither the size of the main olfactory bulb nor the neocortex was significantly associated with intrasexual competition among males. However, neocortex size was related to the frequency of female competition. Because the main olfactory system and neocortex both serve multiple purposes, there may not be a single behavioral variable that has selected for their size. Furthermore, categorization of male and female competition intensity reflects physically aggressive behavior. Use of the neocortex for social manipulation may allow males to obtain copulations and females to obtain food resources despite poor physical fighting abilities and low dominance rank.

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The Accessory (Vomeronasal) Chemoreceptor System in Some Prosimians

Cited by 25 publications

References 29 publications

Comparative study of lectin reactivity in the vomeronasal organ of human and nonhuman primates

Comparative study of lectin reactivity in the vomeronasal organ of human and nonhuman primates

The vomeronasal organ of greater bushbabies (Otolemur spp.): Species, sex, and age differences

Comparative analysis of the role of olfaction and the neocortex in primate intrasexual competition

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