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Induction of olfactory receptor sensitivity in mice
H W Wang1, C J Wysocki, G H Gold
1Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3308.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 14, 1993
Summary
Repeated exposure to specific odors enhances smell sensitivity in mice. This olfactory plasticity is odor-specific and suggests a general gene expression mechanism in sensory cells, potentially applicable to humans.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Olfactory sensitivity can vary significantly between individuals.
- The mechanisms underlying changes in olfactory perception are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether repeated exposure to olfactory ligands (odorants) can induce changes in peripheral olfactory sensitivity.
- To determine if this induced plasticity is odorant-specific and dependent on initial sensitivity levels.
Main Methods:
- Mice were repeatedly exposed to two distinct odorants: androstenone and isovaleric acid.
- Olfactory sensitivity was measured before and after odorant exposure.
- Experiments were conducted on different inbred mouse strains with varying initial sensitivities.
Main Results:
- Repeated odorant exposure led to increased peripheral olfactory sensitivity in mice.
- The enhancement in sensitivity was specific to the odorant used for exposure.
- This effect was primarily observed in mouse strains that initially exhibited low sensitivity to the respective odorant.
- These findings indicate stimulus-induced plasticity at the sensory receptor cell level.
Conclusions:
- Olfactory sensitivity exhibits stimulus-induced plasticity, suggesting a form of stimulus-controlled gene expression.
- The phenomenon is not limited to a single type of odorant, implying a general mechanism.
- This olfactory induction may be relevant to a significant portion of the human population.