Pheromone discrimination ability of olfactory bulb mitral and ruffed cells in the goldfish (Carassius auratus).

Significant anatomical differences characterizing mitral cells and ruffed cells were published by Kosaka and Hama in three teleost species. Physiological responses from both types of relay neurons have now been recorded extracellularly and simultaneously in the plexiform layer using a single tungsten microelectrode. During interstimulus intervals mitral cells responded with higher, frequently burst-like impulse rates triggered by the activity of epithelial receptor neurons. Ruffed cell impulse rates were low, and each action potential triggered a long-lasting, continuously variable, integrated granule cell potential. During olfactory stimulation with important biological stimuli such as preovulatory and ovulatory pheromones, a probable alarm pheromone and amino acids contrasting interactions between mitral cells and ruffed cells resulting in a drastic intensification of centrally transmitted information were frequently recorded. Individual neurons excellently discriminated stimuli. Irrespective of the physiological relevance of stimuli, however, similarities were recorded in the distribution of excitatory, inhibitory and indifferent responses.