Olfactory experience modulates neuron expression in piriform cortex of adult guinea pigs after olfactory deprivation

Liu Yuan-yue; Hou Ju-hua; Liu Fu-xiang; Wang Wei; He Xu

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2015.18.014

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Animal experiments and clinical studies have shown that, functional deprivation at the early development stage may possibly cause nerve and cognition dysfunction at adulthood. However, no research focuses on the effect of olfactory function on the neurogenesis in piriform cortex of adult guinea pigs. <br> OBJECTIVE:To establish olfactory deprivation models and explore the effect of olfactory experience on the distribution of doublecortin, parvalbumin, glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 and the co-localization of doublecortin with neuron-specific nuclear-binding protein in piriform cortex of adult guinea pigs. <br> METHODS:Twenty guinea pigs were randomly divided into two groups. Olfactory deprivation models were established through unilateral naris-occlusion and the occluded animals were al owed to survive 3 and 6 weeks, then the specimens were harvested. The distribution of doublecortin, parvalbumin, glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 was detected with immunohistochemistry. The co-localization of doublecortin with neuron-specific nuclear-binding protein in piriform cortex of adult guinea pigs was determined with immunofluorescence method. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The number of doublecortin, parvalbumin, glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 positive cel s in piriform cortex at the undeprived side was significantly higher than that at the deprived side at 3 and 6 weeks (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the co-localization of doublecortin with neuron-specific nuclear-binding protein in piriform cortex at 3 weeks group and 6 weeks group (P>0.05). The findings suggest that olfactory experience promotes the maturation and differentiation of neurons in piriform cortex of adult guinea pigs.