Olfactory bulb organization and development in Monodelphis domestica (grey short-tailed opossum)

The olfactory bulbs of adult and developing Monodelphis domestica were examined with a number of techniques. Golgi, Nissl, and Timm stains as well as acetylcholinesterase histochemistry revealed a high degree of order within the adult bulb. All major cell classes characteristic of most mammalian species were observed. Tufted cells appeared to be restricted to the superficial portion of the external plexiform layer. Developing Monodelphis pups were examined with Nissl-stained semithin sections and with immunocytochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase, microtubule-associated protein 2, vimentin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Newborn pups are extremely immature, with few postmitotic cells present in the forebrain. Considerable maturation occurs over the first four postnatal weeks, and by postnatal day 30, the bulb assumes an adult-like organization. The extreme immaturity of the bulb at birth, coupled with its strict organization, suggest that Monodelphis is a particularly appropriate species for experimental examinations of olfactory system development.