Histological features and Gαolf expression patterns in the nasal cavity of sea turtles.

Daisuke Kondoh, Yuka Kaneoya, Wataru Tonomori, Chiyo Kitayama

Journal of anatomy 2023 Sep

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Sea turtles use olfaction to detect volatile and water-soluble substances. The nasal cavity of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) comprises morphologically defined the anterodorsal, anteroventral, and posterodorsal diverticula, as well as a single posteroventral fossa. Here, we detailed the histological features of the nasal cavity of a mature female green turtle. The posterodorsal diverticulum contained spongy-like venous sinuses and a wave-shaped sensory epithelium that favored ventilation. Secretory structures that were significant in sensory and non-sensory epithelia were probably involved in protection against seawater. These findings suggested that green turtles efficiently intake airborne substances and dissolve water-soluble substances in mucous, while suppressing the effects of salts. In addition, positive staining of Gαs/olf that couples with olfactory, but not vomeronasal, receptors was predominant in all three types of sensory epithelium in the nasal cavity. Both of airborne and water-soluble odorants seemed to be detected in cells expressing Gαolf and olfactory receptors. © 2023 Anatomical Society.

Citation

Daisuke Kondoh, Yuka Kaneoya, Wataru Tonomori, Chiyo Kitayama. Histological features and Gαolf expression patterns in the nasal cavity of sea turtles. Journal of anatomy. 2023 Sep;243(3):486-503