Kondoh D, Yamamoto Y, Nakamuta N, Taniguchi K, Taniguchi K
Department of Basic Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, Japan.
Anat Histol Embryol. 2012 Feb;41(1):41-53. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0264.2011.01101.x. Epub 2011 Sep 6.
Seasonal changes in the histochemical properties of the vomeronasal and olfactory epithelia of the Japanese striped snake were examined in four seasons, viz. the reproductive, pre-hibernating, hibernating and post-hibernating seasons. In the vomeronasal and olfactory supporting cells, secretory granules were much more abundant in the hibernating season than in the other seasons. In the vomeronasal and olfactory receptor cells, the lipofuscin granules were much fewer in the post-hibernating season than in the other seasons. In histochemical studies with 21 lectins, several lectins stained the vomeronasal and olfactory epithelia (receptor cells, supporting cells and free border) more weakly in the hibernating season than in the reproductive season. However, all lectins stained both epithelia in the hibernating season after sialic acid removal in a similar manner as in the reproductive season after sialic acid removal. These lectin histochemical studies indicate that sialic acid residues in the vomeronasal and olfactory epithelia are more numerous in the hibernating season than in the reproductive season. The results suggest that during hibernation, the vomeronasal and olfactory receptor cells possibly undergo rapid cell turnover, and that during this time, the vomeronasal and olfactory epithelia are securely protected from pathogens by an innate immune defence system.
在四个季节，即繁殖季、冬眠前季、冬眠季和冬眠后季，对日本纹蛇犁鼻器和嗅上皮的组织化学特性的季节性变化进行了研究。在犁鼻器和嗅支持细胞中，分泌颗粒在冬眠季比在其他季节丰富得多。在犁鼻器和嗅感受器细胞中，脂褐素颗粒在冬眠后季比在其他季节少得多。在用21种凝集素进行的组织化学研究中，几种凝集素在冬眠季对犁鼻器和嗅上皮（感受器细胞、支持细胞和游离缘）的染色比在繁殖季弱。然而，在去除唾液酸后，所有凝集素在冬眠季对两种上皮的染色方式与在繁殖季去除唾液酸后的染色方式相似。这些凝集素组织化学研究表明，犁鼻器和嗅上皮中的唾液酸残基在冬眠季比在繁殖季更多。结果表明，在冬眠期间，犁鼻器和嗅感受器细胞可能经历快速的细胞更新，并且在此期间犁鼻器和嗅上皮通过先天免疫防御系统得到安全保护，免受病原体侵害。
