Numbers of olfactory receptor cells and fine structure of olfactory nerves in various birds

The numbers of olfactory receptor cells from electron micrographs in various species of birds were counted and the fine structure of their olfactory nerves was observed using electron micrographs. The birds were domestic ducks, a slay-backed gull, quails, budgerigars and bengalees. Data from pigeons obtained from a previous study were also included for comparison. The approximate numbers of olfactory cells on each side were 5,800,000 in the duck, 2,700,000 in the gull, 570,000 in the quail, 130,000 in the budgerigar, and 110,000 in the bengalee. From a cross section of an olfactory nerve, the nerve was observed to be divided roughly into several fascicles by perineurium. Each fascicle was composed of many small bundles which were surrounded by endoneurium. Each small bundle was separated into several divisions by mesaxon which originated from Schwann cells. In the anterior part of the nerve, the number of axons surrounded by mesaxon ranged between one and several dozen. The number in the middle part was much larger than in the anterior part. In the posterior part the number decreased again. The diameter of an axon was 0.21-0.26 microns on average. The axon contained neurotubules, neurofilaments, mitochondria and axonal smooth ER. The fine structure of the olfactory nerve and the numbers of olfactory cells in these birds are discussed and compared with those of other vertebrates.