Dependence of spatial distribution of bromodeoxyuridine-immunoreactive cells on age in the main olfactory bulb

Abstract

In the subventricular zone (SVZ), neurogenesis occurs continuously, even in the aged brain. To explore the roles of newly generated cells migrating from the SVZ in olfactory functions, bromodeoxyuridine-immunoreactive (BrdU-ir) structures in the sagittal section of the main olfactory bulb (MOB) of young and old male rats were studied. BrdU labeling indicated that the density of BrdU-ir cells in the MOB of young rats was higher than that of old rats. In young rats, the density of BrdU-ir cells at the region near the rostral end of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) was higher than that at the region distant from the AOB. The present study indicates that newly generated cells are differently distributed in the MOB of young and old male rats. [Jpn J Physiol 54 Suppl:S177 (2004)]