Histological and lectin histochemical studies in the vomeronasal organ of the Korean black goat, Capra hircus coreanae

Abstract

We examined the localization of olfactory marker protein (OMP), protein gene product9.5 (PGP9.5), and glycan diversity in the vomeronasal organ (VNO) of the Korean black goat (Capra hircus coreanae) during the prenatal and postnatal periods using immunohistochemistry and lectin histochemistry. In fetal and 1-day-old goats, OMP was occasionally identified in receptor cells of the VNO sensory epithelium, and PGP9.5 was localized in both the sensory and non-sensory epithelia. In VNO from adult goats, OMP was abundant in the sensory epithelium and scarce in single cells of the non-sensory epithelium. These results suggest that OMP production is initiated in the VNO sensory epithelium (VNE) during the fetal stage, and that its activity is increased in adult VNO receptor cells and solitary cells in the non-sensory epithelium (VNSE). Furthermore, the free borders of the sensory epithelia were positive for 7 lectins, and 6 lectins were moderately and/or highly abundant in receptor cells. Supporting and basal cells, and nerve bundles had similar expression patterns. In VNE, 7 lectins were observed in the free border, and 6 in ciliated, goblet, and basal cells, and in gland acini. The intensities of WGA, LCA, and PNA were high in VSE receptor cells, and the intensity of PNA was high in ciliated cells of the VNSE. The other 3 lectins showed similar patterns throughout development. Collectively, these results confirm that the Korean black goat VNO starts developing during the late fetal stages and differentiates further after birth.