The development of serotonergic projections to the olfactory bulb of Monodelphis domestica (the grey, short-tailed opossum)

Brain Res Dev Brain Res. 1994 Feb 18;77(2):265-70. doi: 10.1016/0165-3806(94)90202-x.

Abstract

The offspring of Monodelphis domestica (grey, short-tailed opossum) are born in a very immature state after a short (14-day) gestation period. As a result, they provide a useful mammalian model for examining quite early stages of brain maturation. The present study demonstrates that the onset and development of serotonergic (5-HT) projections to the Monodelphis olfactory bulb can be traced entirely after birth. 5-HT was visualized in tissue sections from postnatal day 5 (P5), P10, P20, P30, and adult opossums using avidin-biotin peroxidase immunocytochemistry. 5-HT afferent fibers are rare in the bulb until P10. Maturation occurs slowly, but by P30, 5-HT fibers assume the adult form characterized by preferential glomerular innervation. Due to the postnatal development, slow maturation, and specificity of innervation patterns, the Monodelphis bulb provides a model with which to study the regulation of serotonergic development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology
  • Animals
  • Avidin
  • Biotin
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Interneurons / physiology
  • Nerve Fibers / physiology
  • Neural Pathways / cytology
  • Neural Pathways / growth & development
  • Olfactory Bulb / cytology
  • Olfactory Bulb / growth & development*
  • Opossums / growth & development*
  • Raphe Nuclei / cytology
  • Raphe Nuclei / growth & development*
  • Serotonin / physiology*

Substances

  • Avidin
  • Serotonin
  • Biotin