Localization of sex hormone binding globulin in the rat vomeronasal organ

• Published in: Journal of chemical neuroanatomy Vol. 61-62; pp. 120 - 123
• Main Authors: Ploß, V.M., Gebhart, V.M., Gisder, D., Dölz, W., Jirikowski, G.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.11.2014
• Subjects: Animals; Female; Goblet cells; Immunohistochemistry; In Situ Hybridization; Male; Olfactory glands; Olfactory sensory cells; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin - analysis; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin - biosynthesis; Steroid binding protein; Vomeronasal organ; Vomeronasal Organ - cytology; Vomeronasal Organ - metabolism; Olfactory sensory cells; Olfactory glands; Goblet cells; Vomeronasal organ; Steroid binding protein
• ISSN: 0891-0618; 1873-6300
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2014.08.004

•Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is expressed in the rat vomeronasal organ.•Single sensory cells contain SHBG staining in their dendrites and their projections.•Vomeronasal glands contain SHBG in secretory vesicle.•Non-sensory epithelium lining the vomeronasal duct contains SHBG in basal cells and in goblet cells. Volatile and non-volatile derivates of gonadal steroids are known to act as pheromones in many mammalian species. Pheromones have multiple effects on the brain via the olfactory system. Their primary port of entry seems to be the vomeronasal organ (VNO) but the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are unclear so far. Recently we localized sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in both the main and the accessory olfactory system of rat with immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. The accessory olfactory system consisting of VNO and accessory olfactory bulb showed high expression of SHBG. In the present paper we studied SHBG expression in the VNO in greater detail. In semithin sections we found SHBG immunostaining in the perinuclear cytoplasm of some of the sensory neurons, in sensory cilia and in their axons. A portion of the basal cells and some of the goblet cells in the non-sensory epithelium showed intense SHBG staining. SHBG was abundant in exocrine cells of the vomeronasal glands, perhaps compartimentalized in secretory vesicles. In situ hybridization revealed specific signals in sensory and non-sensory cells of the VNO. Our findings indicate that SHBG expressed in the VNO may be liberated into nasal secretions to bind aerosolic steroids. SHBG in sensory cells may be involved in signaling actions of pheromones.