Immunocytochemical study of the differentiation process of the septal organ of Masera in developing rats

The septal organ of Masera is a small patch of olfactory epithelium located near the base of the nasal septum. Using the growth-associated protein B-50/GAP-43 as neuronal marker, we have studied the differentiation process of this organ from the olfactory sheet in embryonic and newborn rats. Results...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brain research. Developmental brain research 1995-02, Vol.84 (2), p.287-293
Main Authors: Giannetti, Nathalie, Pellier, Véronique, Beate Oestreicher, A., Astic, Liliane
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Brain - growth & development
Development
GAP-43 Protein
Humans
Immunocytochemistry
Immunohistochemistry
Infant, Newborn
Membrane Glycoproteins
Nasal Cavity - immunology
Nasal Septum - immunology
Nasal Septum - physiology
Nerve Tissue Proteins
Olfaction
Rat
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Septal organ of Masera
Smell
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Summary:The septal organ of Masera is a small patch of olfactory epithelium located near the base of the nasal septum. Using the growth-associated protein B-50/GAP-43 as neuronal marker, we have studied the differentiation process of this organ from the olfactory sheet in embryonic and newborn rats. Results show that the septal organ first appeared at embryonic day 16. Even though it was included in the olfactory sheet, the presumptive septal organ could be distinguished by a higher density of B-50/GAP-43 positive neurons. Concomitantly to its morphological development, the septal organ progressively isolated from the main olfactory epithelium. This isolation resulted from the extension of a transitional area which progressively lost its typical features of olfactory epithelium to become a putative respiratory epithelium in late embryonic stages. Results strongly suggest that the septal organ should be a proper chemosensory system with its own time-course of development.
ISSN:0165-3806
DOI:10.1016/0165-3806(94)00195-6