Histochemical localization of phospholipids in the olfactory epithelium of fish

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Evans, Robert E., Hara, Toshiaki J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1977
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Arctic; The Baker; Salvelinus alpinus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z77-101; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z77-101

Histochemical localization of phospholipids in the olfactory epithelium of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), and black bullhead (Ictalurus melas) was examined. The present results indicate that phospholipids are highly localized in the receptor neurons of all species examined, present not only in the membranes, but also in the cytoplasm. Although the phospholipids of membranes and cytoplasm may not be of the same kind, their localization suggests a role in olfactory function. The Baker acid hematein method shows clear morphological features of the olfactory neurons beyond those obtainable by routine histological methods. The technique may be useful in determining morphological changes and (or) phospholipid alterations caused by a deleterious environment.