Non-oscillatory discharges of an F-prostaglandin responsive neuron population in the olfactory bulb-telencephalon transition area in lake whitefish.

Abstract:

:Our previous studies on olfactory bulbar responses in salmonid fishes suggest that pheromone signals might be processed by a mechanism distinct from that of other odorants. Using in vivo single-unit and electroencephalographic recordings, we investigated response characteristics of olfactory neurons in lake whitefish, Coregonus clupeaformis, a species characterized by high electrophysiological and behavioral sensitivities to the reproductive pheromone candidates F-prostaglandins. We found a neuron population responsive to F-prostaglandins in the ventromedial brain tissue strip connecting the olfactory bulb to the telencephalon. Of the 64 neurons examined in this area, 33% showed excitatory and 11% inhibitory responses to F-prostaglandins, while 52% were non-responsive to all the stimuli tested. Both phasic and tonic F-prostaglandin neuron response patterns were observed during the 10-s stimulus period; some responses were delayed from the onset of stimulation, and some persisted for a long time following stimulus cessation. This neuron population did not induce synchronized oscillatory waves upon stimulation with F-prostaglandins, despite massive discharges. We demonstrate for the first time that the olfactory bulb-telencephalon area of the brain is a distinct neural structure through which putative reproductive pheromone signals are integrated. Amino acid and F-prostaglandin neuron population discharges have different temporal characteristics, suggesting different processing mechanisms exist for odorant and pheromone signals. The observed sustained neuron discharges may play a role in amplifying pheromone signals required for triggering stereotyped neuroendocrine and/or behavior changes.

journal_name

Neuroscience

journal_title

Neuroscience

authors

Laberge F,Hara TJ

doi

10.1016/s0306-4522(02)00717-0

keywords:

subject

Has Abstract

pub_date

2003-01-01 00:00:00

pages

1089-95

issue

4

eissn

0306-4522

issn

1873-7544

pii

S0306452202007170

journal_volume

116

pub_type

杂志文章