Biology subjects

Antonio, A. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Antonio, A. M..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

The Vomeronasal System of Talpa occidentalis: A Combined Histological, Immunohistochemical, and Lectin-Binding Approach

The vomeronasal system (VNS) is critical for detecting pheromonal cues that modulate sociosexual behaviors. Despite its central role in chemical communication, our understanding of its anatomical and functional variability across mammals remains incomplete. This study provides the first detailed characterization of the VNS in the Iberian mole (Talpa occidentalis), a fossorial species endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. We performed a morphofunctional and neurochemical analysis of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) and the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) using histology, immunohistochemistry, and lectin histochemistry. The VNO in T. occidentalis exhibited an unusual circular lumen lined by a uniform sensory epithelium, lacking the dual epithelial organization seen in most species. The vomeronasal cartilage was limited in extent and did not form the typical J-shaped structure. Importantly, no evidence of a vomeronasal pump was found, suggesting alternative mechanisms for semiochemical entry, likely facilitated by the organs anatomical position and continuous receptor distribution. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed strong expression of Gi2 and G{Upsilon}8 in sensory neurons, with weaker G0 expression, suggesting predominance of V1R-type signal transduction. The AOB, though small, exhibited clear lamination and specific marker localization (Gi2, OMP, CR, MAP2), indicating robust functional organization. Lectin binding revealed specific glycosylation patterns in the glomerular layer, with STL and LEA marking synaptic regions. These findings uncover unprecedented anatomical and molecular features in the VNS of T. occidentalis, positioning this species as a valuable model for studying vomeronasal diversity and evolution among Laurasiatherian mammals.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Neurochemical Features and Glycan Patterns in the Wapiti Vomeronasal Pathway

The vomeronasal system (VNS) plays a central role in mammalian chemical communication, mediating critical social and reproductive behaviors. In the wapiti (Cervus canadensis), a cervid species with complex social structures and pronounced chemical signaling during the rut, the VNS had not been previously characterized. This study provides the first comprehensive anatomical and neurochemical analysis of the VNS in wapiti using histological, lectin-histochemical, and immunohistochemical techniques. The vomeronasal organ (VNO) exhibited clear rostrocaudal differentiation, with distinct sensory and respiratory epithelia, a complex glandular distribution, and region-specific expression of neural markers. Lectin binding patterns confirmed functional compartmentalization along the epithelium, and immunoreactivity for markers such as OMP, PGP9.5, CR, and G-protein subunits (Gi2, G{gamma}8, and G0) revealed detailed molecular organization. Notably, G0-positive neurons in the epithelium did not project to the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB), suggesting alternative targets, possibly within transitional zones. The AOB showed all canonical layers, including well-defined glomeruli and expression of markers such as calbindin, CR, GFAP, and LEA lectin. Novel findings include the presence of large white matter tracts and region-specific lectin distribution. Confocal double immunofluorescence and autofluorescence imaging were also employed, allowing high-resolution visualization of neuroepithelial architecture and glomerular domains. Altogether, our results demonstrate that the vomeronasal system in wapiti is highly developed and functionally specialized. These findings contribute to a better understanding of chemosensory communication in wild ungulates and provide a comparative framework for future studies in cervid behavior, reproduction, and conservation.

neuroscience↗