[Spatial distribution of electrical responses in the olfactory epithelium of mice]

In order to investigate the sensitivity to isovaleric acid (IVA) and isoamylacetate the electroolfactograms (EOGs) were recorded from various parts of the olfactory epithelium in two strains (AKR and C57BL/6) of mice. Odorant-specific regional differences in the responsiveness were observed. This heterogeneity is apparently determined genetically. The regions of maximum responses to two odorants are spatially separated, though their partial overlapping can be observed. When the concentration of the stimuli was changed the maximum responses were recorded from the same regions. The differences in the IVA-response distribution in the males of C57BL/6 strain are probably a result of their specific anosmia to this substance.