Morphological Analysis for Neuron-like Cells in the Vomeronasal Organ of XXXX Fetuses at the middle of gestation.

@entity1 @entity7895
UNASSIGNED: The vomeronasal organ (VNO) of five-month-old fetuses was examined immunohistochemically by the use of an antiserum to @entity7895 ( @entity7895 ). Our purpose was to identify if the @entity1 fetal VNO is lined by neuroepithelium. The @entity7895 antiserum labeled abundant cells within the vomeronasal epithelium (VE), nerve fiber bundles in its lamina propria, and cells associated with these bundles. @entity7895 -immunoreactive (ir) vomeronasal epithelial cells were classified into three subtypes. Type I cells, about 40% of the total cells observed, did not have any processes and tended to be located in the basal layer of the VE. Type II cells had a single apical process that projected toward the lumen, ending at the epithelial surface. Type III cells sent a prominent process mainly toward the basement membrane, and occupied about 20% of the total cells observed. In the lamina propria, a considerable number of @entity7895 -ir cells were observed. Some of them were present in nerve fiber bundles and contained processes parallel to the bundles. In addition, @entity7895 -ir nerve fiber bundles and cells associated with them were even present in the portion of the nasal septal mucosa that was very close to the brain. The present results strongly suggest that the VE in @entity1 fetuses at mid-gestation is a neuroepithelium and that the VE may produce migrating cells toward the brain. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
