Morphological and quantitative features of mitral cells in the rat olfactory bulb after administration of propranolol

To determine the cytoplasmic morphological changes in the mitral cells and quantitative changes [number of mitral cells and thickness of mitral cell layer in microns] in the rat olfactory bulb after administration of propranolol. Experimental study. The Department of Anatomy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, from January 2006 to January 2007. Twenty samples were obtained from two randomly divided groups of rats, each comprising 10 animals for control and experimental work respectively. Each group was treated with normal saline [5 ml/kg] and propranolol [1 mg/kg] respectively for one month. The skull was fixed in 20% formalin for 10 days and decalcified in 10% formalin/10% nitric acid. The olfactory bulb along with olfactory cortex was dissected. After processing, 10 microns thick sections were obtained. The slides were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and Bielschowksy's silver stain [Glees-Marsland modification] and studied under light microscope. The morphology, quantitative analysis of mitral cell layer and the number of mitral cells were studied in the histological study and compared using t-test with significance at p < 0.05. In the propranolol treated group changes observed in the morphology of the mitral cells included presence of cytoplasmic vacuoles at the periphery of the cells. There was significant increase in the thickness of mitral cell layer and number of the mitral cell in the propranolol treated group [p < 0.05]. This study showed morphological and quantitative changes in the olfactory bulb in response to treatment with propranolol, hence it has implications in odour induced learning

histological study of bowman's glands in human olfactory mucosa

The histology of olfactory mucosa has been previously studied under light and electron microscope. There are marked geographical differences between Pakistan and other countries where most of the research on olfactory epithelium has been conducted. To study morphology and quantitative analysis of Bowman's glands in human olfactory mucosa in Pakistani population. An observational study. This research was done in the Anatomy Department, A M College, Rawalpindi. The duration of study was two years from January 2001 to December 2003. Enbloc specimens were obtained from 20 autopsy cases. After decalcification, they were processed, stained with haematoxylin and eosin [H and E] and seen under light microscope. The olfactory mucosa was observed in the roof, medial and lateral walls of both nasal cavities. The type of glandular tissue and its morphology was observed. The olfactory epithelium was morphologically pseudostraified columnar with a characteristic lamina propria containing numerous olfactory nerve fascicles and Bowman's glands, observed in the roof, medial and lateral walls of both nasal cavities. The secretory acini were almost circular in cross section and measured 20 to 25 micro m in diameter. The secretory cells [7-10 micro m] were pyramidal in shape, with rounded darkly stained nuclei lying in the basal half of the cells. The ducts were seen leading from the glands onto epithelial surface. Mean number of serous acini when compared in the roof, medial and lateral walls of right and left nasal cavities was statistically insignificant. Olfactory mucosa was lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The secretory acini of Bowman's glands were almost circular in cross section and cells were pyramidal in shape. Mean number of serous acini when compared in the roof, medial and lateral walls of right and left nasal cavities was statistically insignificant