Biology subjects

Sanchez-Quinteiro, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Sanchez-Quinteiro, P..

16 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Beyond Terrestrial Carnivores: Olfactory Bulb Anatomy in a Semi-Aquatic Mammal

The organization of the olfactory systems remains poorly understood in mustelids, particularly in lutrines adapted to semiaquatic environments. This study provides the first detailed anatomical, histological, lectin-histochemical, and immunohistochemical characterization of the main (MOB) and accessory (AOB) olfactory bulbs of the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus). Serial transverse and sagittal sections were examined using Nissl and Tolivia staining, a panel of lectins, and neuronal and olfactory immunohistochemical markers. Macroscopically, the olfactory bulbs were prominent and elongated, although no distinct AOB could be identified. Histologically, the MOB displayed a well-developed laminar organization, abundant mitral and tufted cells, and a clearly defined lateral olfactory tract. By contrast, the AOB was small, located dorsocaudally within the olfactory peduncle, and lacked the canonical lamination observed in many other mammals. Its identification was supported by the selective binding of Ulex europaeus agglutinin and strong Gi2 immunoreactivity in glomerular-like structures, whereas Go labeling was weak. LEA and STA labeled the superficial layers of both bulbs, while VVA and SBA recognized only scattered MOB glomeruli. Neuronal markers, including NCAM, NSE, NeuN, PGP 9.5, and {beta}-tubulin III, confirmed the neuronal nature of the AOB, while calretinin strongly labeled its glomerular structures and projection neurons. These findings reveal a marked contrast between a highly developed MOB and a small, poorly laminated but neurochemically differentiated AOB. This organization indicates that the vomeronasal pathway is retained in A. cinereus, although in a structurally reduced form, and provides a comparative basis for investigating chemosensory evolution in semiaquatic carnivorans.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Striking olfactory receptor gene repertoire expansion in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

Chemoreception through olfaction is essential for regulating fish behaviour. Fish olfactory receptor repertoire comprises four multigene families (OlfC, OR, ORA and TAAR), whose diversity strongly shapes species-specific olfactory capabilities. In this study, the olfactory repertoire of the flatfish Solea senegalensis was characterized through orthology analysis with seven species, identifying 455 olfactory receptor genes in S. senegalensis, including large OlfC and TAAR gene expansions. Active functionality was shown in 426 genes of the total repertoire through the olfactory transcriptome and the RNA-seq libraries generated in this study, showing expression correlation within each family. Phylogenetic trees integrating orthologous and paralogous relationships, along with chromosomal locations were constructed. Notable synteny conservation was observed primarily among flatfish, partially lost with phylogenetically distant taxa. Olfactory receptor genes were heterogeneously distributed across twelve S. senegalensis chromosomes, constituting eleven major clusters of paralogous genes. Overall, S. senegalensis exhibits an expanded and specialized olfactory function, emerging as a promising model for studying chemoreception and addressing the reproductive issues in aquaculture.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Development of the Olfactory and Vomeronasal Systems in the Fossorial Water Vole (Arvicola scherman). I. The Late Prenatal Stages

Chemical communication is essential for mammalian survival from the earliest stages of life, yet most of what is known about the prenatal development of the olfactory and vomeronasal systems comes from laboratory rodents. These models, while invaluable, may not fully represent the developmental trajectories of wild species living under natural ecological pressures. Here we investigated the fetal development of the nasal chemosensory systems in the fossorial water vole (Arvicola scherman), a free-living arvicoline rodent with a highly subterranean lifestyle. We analyzed fetuses at embryonic days E17 and E21 (term) using classical histology, immunohistochemistry (markers: Gi2, Go, G{gamma}8, CB, CR, PGP 9.5, GAP-43, {beta}-tubulin, MAP2), and lectin histochemistry (UEA, LEA, SBA, STA, DBA). This combined approach enabled us to assess structural maturation, neuronal differentiation, and the temporal dynamics of glycoconjugate expression in the vomeronasal organ (VNO), olfactory epithelium (OE), and the main (MOB) and accessory olfactory bulbs (AOB). By E21, the MOB displayed a six-layered adult-like organization with well-defined glomeruli and interneuronal populations, whereas the AOB showed delayed morphological maturation but already exhibited selective molecular signatures in its nerve and superficial layers. Prenatally, the VNO underwent conspicuous structural differentiation, including stratification of the sensory epithelium, robust axonal fasciculation, and early development of vomeronasal glands. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed early expression of G-protein subunits and calcium-binding proteins, indicating premature pathway specification and interneuronal circuit formation. Lectin labeling provided additional insights: SBA emerged as a highly selective marker of the vomeronasal pathway; UEA highlighted early compartmentalization of vomeronasal projections; LEA showed a conserved, pan-chemosensory binding pattern across systems; and DBA, despite its lower specificity, revealed late-onset reactivity in postmitotic neurons. Together, these findings demonstrate that A. scherman exhibits a remarkably accelerated prenatal maturation of its chemosensory systems compared with laboratory rodents. This early functional readiness likely reflects adaptive pressures of a fossorial lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of incorporating wild species into developmental neurobiology to refine our understanding of mammalian chemosensory evolution.

neuroscience↗

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↗

bioRxiv2024

Neuroanatomy of the Accessory Olfactory Bulb in the Fossorial Water Vole

The accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) plays a key role in processing chemical signals crucial for species-specific social and reproductive behaviors. While extensive research has focused on the vomeronasal system of laboratory rodents, less is known about wild species, particularly those that rely heavily on chemical communication. This study aims to characterize the morphological and neurochemical organization of the AOB in the fossorial water vole (Arvicola scherman), a subterranean rodent species from the family Cricetidae. We have employed histological techniques, including Nissl and hematoxylin staining, as well as immunohistochemical and lectin-histochemical markers, to assess the AOB structure. Our findings reveal that the AOB of the water vole exhibits a distinct laminar organization with prominent mitral cells in the mitral-plexiform layer, as well as dense labeling of periglomerular and short-axon cells in the glomerular layer. Lectin histochemistry further confirmed zonation patterns analogous to those seen in other rodent species. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated significant expression of PGP 9.5, suggesting its involvement in maintaining neuronal activity within the AOB. In contrast, the absence of SMI-32 labeling in the AOB, compared to its strong expression in the main olfactory bulb, highlights functional distinctions between these two olfactory subsystems. These structural and neurochemical characteristics suggest that the AOB of the fossorial water vole is adapted for enhanced processing of chemosensory signals, which may play a pivotal role in its subterranean lifestyle. Our results provide a foundation for future studies exploring the functional implications of these adaptations, including potential improvements in the integrated management of these vole populations.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Characterization of Eye and Adnexal Tissues in Dogs and Wolves: A Histological and Lectin-Histochemical Approach

This study explores the ocular anatomy and glandular components of domestic dogs compared to their ancestor, the wolf, with the aim of identifying evolutionary changes due to domestication and their implications for ocular pathologies. Utilizing histological and histochemical techniques, including hematoxylin-eosin, PAS, Alcian Blue, and lectins, this research conducts a detailed analysis of the canine and wolf ocular systems, particularly focusing on the eyelids, tarsal glands, and conjunctival tissues. Results indicate significant histological differences between the two species, particularly in the thickness and secretion levels of the conjunctival epithelia and the structure of the tarsal glands. Dogs exhibit a thicker epithelium with greater PAS and Alcian Blue positive secretion, suggesting enhanced ocular protection and lubrication adapted to domestic environments. Conversely, wolves display more concentrated glandular secretions and a predominance of acidic mucopolysaccharides, aligning with their adaptation to natural habitats. This study also highlights the translational value of dogs as models for human ocular diseases, given their anatomical and physiological similarities with humans. Such comparisons are essential as they provide insights that can lead to advancements in medical research and clinical applications, especially in the development of treatments for ocular surface disorders.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

The Incisive Duct as a Pathway for Early Vomeronasal Communication in Neonatal Dogs

The detection of chemical signals by the vomeronasal organ (VNO) is critical for communication among mammals from an early age, influencing behaviors such as suckling and recognition of the mother and conspecifics. Located in a concealed position at the base of the nasal cavity, the VNO features a duct covered with a sensory epithelium rich in neuroreceptors. A critical aspect of VNO functionality is the efficient access of stimuli from the nasal and oral cavities to the receptors. In adult dogs, it has been demonstrated through in vivo magnetic resonance imaging and anatomically postmortem how the VNO duct (VD) communicates to the environment through the incisive duct (ID). However, in newborn puppies, the existence of functional communication between the ID and the VD has not been confirmed to date, raising doubts about the potential physiological obliteration of the ID due to its small size and the degree of immaturity of the puppies at birth. Determining this aspect is necessary to evaluate the role played by chemical communication in this critical phase for the survival and socialization of puppies. This study employs serial histological staining techniques to examine the presence and functionality of the incisive duct in neonatal dogs. The serial histological sections have confirmed both the existence of functional communication between both the vomeronasal and incisive ducts in perinatal puppies, and the dual functional communication of the incisive duct with the oral and nasal cavities. The ID shows an uninterrupted lumen along its path and is associated with a sophisticated cartilaginous complex that prevents its collapse, as well as erectile tissue rich in blood vessels and connective tissue that acts as a cushion, facilitating its action under pressure induced by sampling behaviors such as tonguing. This investigation demonstrates the communicative capabilities of the VNO during the perinatal stage in dogs.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Biostimulation methods based on chemical communication improve semen quality in male breeder rabbits.

Biostimulation aims to optimize reproductive parameters as part of animal management practices by modulating animal sensory systems. Chemical signals, mostly known as pheromones, have a great potential in this regard. This study was conducted to determine the influence of short-term male rabbit exposure to different biological secretions, potentially pheromone-mediated, on reproductive parameters of males. Four groups of 18 males each were exposed to A) doe urine, B) 2-phenoxyethanol, C) doe vaginal swab, and D) distilled water (control), three times over a 2.5h exposure window, just before semen collection. Semen volume, sperm concentration and motility, as well as subpopulation analysis of the spermatozoa were assessed for each condition. Additionally, testosterone levels in blood samples were monitored at five time points over the 2.5 h exposure window. We found a higher percentage of motile, progressive, fast progressive and mid-progressive spermatozoa in any of the three experimental groups compared to the control group. In contrast, the semen volume and the percentage of immotile and non-progressive spermatozoa was generally higher in the control group. We then identified a higher proportion of a subpopulation of fast and progressive spermatozoa in groups A, B, and C compared to group D. Our data indicates that sperm motility increases when animals are exposed to specific biological fluids potentially containing pheromones, and that an increase in sperm volume does not correlate with an increase in spermatozoa concentration, progressiveness, and speed. Finally, no differences in testosterone levels were found among comparisons, although males of groups A and C (exposed to natural female biological fluids) showed a tendency towards higher testosterone levels. In conclusion, our results indicate that rabbit sperm quality increases upon exposure to the biological secretions proposed, thereby supporting further investigation into their molecular identity. This exploration could eventually pave the way for implementing the use of pheromones in rabbit husbandry to enhance reproductive and productive parameters in farmed rabbits.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2023

The Histopathology of Cephenemyia stimulator-Induced Nasopharyngeal Myiasis in Roe-Deers (Capreolus capreolus)

Nasopharyngeal myiasis in European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is a pathological condition caused by the larval stages of Cephenemyia stimulator, a fly from the Oestridae family. These larvae reside in the hosts upper respiratory tract for months, inducing significant tissue damage and clinical symptoms. The lifecycle of Cephenemyia stimulator is complex, involving three larval stages before maturation into adult flies, with each stage contributing to the progressive pathology observed in the host. Despite their prevalence, the histopathological effects of these larvae in the nasopharyngeal and nasal cavities have been understudied. Our study fills this knowledge gap by providing a detailed histopathological analysis of the affected tissues, using various staining techniques to reveal the extent and nature of the damage caused by these parasitic larvae. This histopathological examination reveals significant alterations within the nasopharyngeal mucosa and nasal cavity, including erythematous changes, mucosal metaplasia, fibrosis, and tissue necrosis. Parasitic cysts and eosinophilic infiltration further characterize the infestations impact, compromising not only the mucosal integrity but also potentially the olfactory function of the affected animals. This research is crucial for understanding the impact of myiasis on the health of roe deer populations and could have significant implications for wildlife management and conservation.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2023

Do Fossorial Water Voles have a Functional Vomeronasal Organ? A Histological and Immunohistochemical Study

The fossorial water vole, Arvicola scherman, is a herbivorous rodent that cause significant agricultural damages. The application of cairomones and alarm pheromones emerges as a promising sustainable method to improve its integrated management. These chemical signals would induce stress responses that could interfere with the species regular reproductive cycles and induce aversive reactions, steering them away from farmlands and meadows. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the water vole vomeronasal system, both in its morphological foundations and its functionality, making it imperative to understand the same for the application of chemical communication in pest control. This study fills the existing gaps in knowledge through a morphological and immunohistochemical analysis of the fossorial water vole vomeronasal organ. The study is primarily microscopic, employing two approaches: histological, using serial sections stained with various dyes (Hematoxylin-Eosin, PAS, Alcian Blue, Nissl), and immunohistochemical, applying various markers that provide morphofunctional and structural information. These procedures have confirmed the presence of a functional vomeronasal system in fossorial water voles, characterized by a high degree of differentiation and a significant expression of cellular markers indicative of active chemical communication in this species.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Sensory Adaptations: Insights into the Vomeronasal System of the Iberian Wolf

Wolves, like other canids, extensively use chemical signals for various aspects of communication, including territory maintenance, reproductive synchronization, and social hierarchy signaling. Pheromone-mediated chemical communication operates unconsciously among individuals, acting as a mysterious sixth sense that regulates both their physiology and behavior. Despite their crucial role in the life of the wolf, there is a surprising lack of comprehensive research on the neuroanatomical and physiological bases of chemical communication in wolves. This study delves into the Iberian wolf vomeronasal system (VNS) and examines potential changes brought about by dog domestication. Our findings show that the Iberian wolf possesses a fully functional VNS vital for pheromone-mediated communication. While macroscopic similarities between the wolf and domestic dog VNS are observed, there are notable microscopic differences. These include the presence of neuronal clusters associated with the sensory epithelium of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) and a higher differentiation degree of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). Immunohistochemical markers reveal the expression of the two main families of vomeronasal receptors (V1R and V2R) in the VNO. However, only the V1R family is expressed in the AOB. These findings not only provide deep insights into the VNS of the wolf but also hint at how domestication might have altered neural configurations that underpin species-specific behaviors. This understanding has implications for innovative strategies, such as employing semiochemicals for wolf population management, aligning with modern conservation goals.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Exploring the vomeronasal organ in an endangered antelope species

The dama gazelle is a threatened and scarcely studied species of northern Africa. Human pressure has depleted the population of dama gazelles from tens of thousands to a few hundred individuals. Since 1970, after deriving from a founder population of the last 17 surviving individuals in the Western Sahara, it has been reproduced naturally in captivity. Although certain aspects of the reproductive biology of the dama gazelle have been established in preparation for the future implementation of assisted reproductive technology there is a lack of information regarding the role of semiochemical-mediated communication in the sexual behavior of the dama gazelle. This is partially due to the lack of a neuroanatomical and morphofunctional characterization of the dama gazelle vomeronasal organ (VNO); the sensory organ responsible for the processing of pheromones. This study aims to determine the presence in the dama gazelle of a VNO fully equipped to carry out its neurosensory function and to contribute to the understanding of the interspecific variability of the VNO of ruminants. Employing histological, lectin-histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques we have performed a detailed morphofunctional evaluation of the dama gazelle VNO along its entire longitudinal axis. The findings suggest that studies of the VNO should take a similar approach, as there are significant structural and neurochemical transformations that the organ exhibits as a whole. This study contributes to the understanding of the VNO in dama gazelles and provides a basis for future studies on semiochemical-mediated communication and reproductive management of this species.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Sex separation unveils the functional plasticity of the vomeronasal organ in rabbits

BackgroundChemosensory cues are vital for social and sexual behaviours and are primarily detected and processed by the vomeronasal system (VNS), whose plastic capacity has been investigated in mice. However, studying chemosensory plasticity outside of laboratory conditions may give a more realistic picture of how the VNS adapts to a changing environment. Rabbits are a well-described model of chemocommunication since the discovery of the rabbit mammary pheromone and their vomeronasal organ (VNO) transcriptome was recently characterized, a first step to further study plasticity-mediated transcriptional changes. In this study, we assess the plastic capacity of the rabbit male and female VNO under sex-separation vs sex-combined scenarios, including adults and juveniles, to determine whether the rabbit VNO is plastic and, if so, whether such plasticity is already established at early stages of life. ResultsFirst, we characterized the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the VNO of rabbit male and female under sex-separation and compared it to sex-combined individuals, both in adults and juveniles, finding that differences between male and female were larger in a sex-separated scenario. Secondly, we analyzed the number of DEGs between sex-separated and sex-combined scenarios, both in males and females. In adults, both sexes showed a high number of DEGs while in juveniles only females showed differences. Additionally, the vomeronasal receptor genes were strikingly down-regulated in sex-separated adult females, whereas in juveniles up-regulation was shown for the same condition, suggesting a role of VRs in puberty onset. Finally, we described the environment-modulated plastic capacity of genes involved in reproduction, immunity and VNO functional activity, including G-protein coupled receptors. ConclusionsOur results show that sex-separation induces sex- and stage- specific gene expression differences in the VNO of male and female rabbit, both in adults and juveniles. These results bring out for the first time the plastic capacity of the rabbit VNO, supporting its functional adaptation to specifically respond to a continuous changing environment. Finally, species-specific differences and individual variability should always be considered in VNO studies and overall chemocommunication research.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

A chromosome-level genome assembly enables the identification of the follicle stimulating hormone receptor as the master sex determining gene in Solea senegalensis

Sex determination (SD) mechanisms are exceptionally diverse and show high evolutionary rates in fish. Pleuronectiformes is an emblematic fish group characterized by its adaptation to demersal life and its compact genomes. Here, we present a chromosome-level genome assembly of Senegalese sole, a promising European aquaculture species. We combined long- and short-read sequencing and a highly dense genetic map to obtain a contiguous assembly of 613 Mb (N50 = 29.0 Mb, 99% of the assembly in the n = 21 chromosomes of its karyotype). The correspondence between this new assembly and the Senegalese sole chromosomes was established by fluorescence in situ hybridization with BAC probes. Orthology within Pleuronectiformes was assessed by using the chromosome-level genomes of six important commercial flatfishes covering a broad phylogenetic spectrum of the order. A total of 7936 single-gene orthologues, shared by the six species, were used to identify syntenies in Pleuronectiformes and to explore chromosome evolutionary patterns in the order. Whole genome resequencing of six males and six females enabled the identification of 41 fixed allelic variants in the follicle stimulating hormone receptor (fshr) gene, homozygous in females and heterozygous in males, consistent with an XX / XY chromosome system. The observed association between fshr SNPs and sex was confirmed at the species level in a broad sample, which allowed tuning up a molecular sexing tool. Fshr demonstrated differential gene expression between male and female gonads since 86 days post-fertilization, when the gonad was still an undifferentiated primordium, concomitant with the activation of other testis and ovary marker genes, such as amh and cyp19a1a genes, respectively. Interestingly, the Y-linked fshr allele, which included 24 non-synonymous variants, expressed to a higher level than the X-linked allele at all stages. We hypothesize a molecular mechanism hampering the action of the follicle stimulating hormone that would drive the undifferentiated gonad toward testis.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2020

A comprehensive analysis of vomeronasal organ transcriptome reveals variable gene expression depending on age and function in rabbits

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a chemosensory organ specialized in the detection of pheromones and consequently the regulation of behavioural responses mostly related to reproduction. VNO shows a broad variation on its organization, functionality and gene expression in vertebrates, and although the species analyzed to date have shown very specific features, its expression patterns have only been well-characterized in mice. Despite rabbits represent a model of chemocommunication, unfortunately no genomic studies have been performed on VNO of this species to date. The capacity of VNO to detect a great variety of different stimuli suggests a large number of genes with complex organization to support this function. Here we provide the first comprehensive gene expression analysis of the rabbit VNO through RNA-seq across different sexual maturation stages. We characterized the VNO transcriptome, updating the number of the two main vomeronasal receptor (VR) families, 129 V1R and 70 V2R. Among others, the expression of transient receptor potential channel 2 (TRPC2), a crucial cation channel generating electrical responses to sensory stimulation in vomeronasal neurons, along with the specific expression of some fomyl-peptide receptors and H2-Mv genes, both known to have specific roles in the VNO, revealed a the particular gene expression repertoire of this organ, but also its singularity in rabbits. Moreover, juvenile and adult VNO transcriptome showed consistent differences, which may indicate that these receptors are tuned to fulfill specific functions depending on maturation age. We also identified VNO-specific genes, including most VR and TRPC2, thus confirming their functional association with the VNO. Overall, these results represent the genomic baseline for future investigations which seek to understand the genetic basis of behavioural responses canalized through the VNO. HIGHLIGHTSO_LIFirst description of the rabbit vomeronasal organ (VNO) transcriptome C_LIO_LIVNO contains a unique gene repertoire depending on the species C_LIO_LIHigh fluctuation of the VNO gene expression reveals changes dependent on age and specific functions C_LIO_LIMost vomeronasal-receptors (VR) and transient receptor potential channel 2 (TRPC2) genes are VNO-specific C_LIO_LIReproduction-related genes shows a wide expression pattern C_LI

genomics↗