Does the olfactory system mediate water- and mineral-regulating mechanisms? Evidence of immunoreactive atrial natriuretic factor within olfactory mucosa

Neuropeptide expression in the mouse vomeronasal organ during postnatal development

The expression of selected regulatory neuropeptides was investigated by immunohistochemistry in nerves supplying the vomeronasal organ (VNO) of mice during postnatal development. Results show that neurons in the VNO are devoid of immunolabeling with any of the antibody used from 1 day to 2 months of age. In the non-receptor epithelium (NRE) and the vomeronasal vascular pump (VP) the timing of expression of regulatory neuropeptides differed among neuropeptides and the different VNO structures. Regulatory neuropeptides usually found in sensory nerves (substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide) and efferent nerves (neuropeptide Y, atrial natriuretic peptide) are expressed in the NRE and the VP, respectively. These results support the view that the VNO is to some extent functional during postnatal development.

Evidence for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) synthesis and the presence of ANP-transducing receptors in the rat olfactory bulb

This study demonstrates the presence of both atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) precursor and ANP transcripts in the rat olfactory bulb (OB), a key brain structure involved in the generation of olfaction-dependent behavior. In addition to synthesizing ANP, the OB contains ANP-transducing receptors coupled to the guanylate cyclase system but it is devoid of ANP "clearance receptors." The characterization of biologically active ANP receptors and the evidence for in situ ANP synthesis in this region of the CNS adds credence to the hypothesis that the peptide plays a putative role in olfaction.