INTRABULBAR INFUSIONS OF (+ -)S-NITROSO-N-ACETYLPENICILLAMINE AND L-ARGININE INDUCE FUNCTIONAL PLASTICITY IN THE ACCESSORY OLFACTORY-BULB OF FEMALE MICE/

Infusions of a nitrosothiol, (+/-)S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine or L -arginine into the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) are capable of causi ng memory or learning-related synaptic plasticity in female mice. This is consistent with the ability of nitric oxide (NO), released spontan eously or by activation of the endogenous synthesizing system, to enha nce a long-lasting increase in gain of AOB synapses; resulting in memo ry formation for male pheromones without mating. Hemoglobin, a NO scav enger, prevented this memory suggesting, in part, an extracellular act ion of NO in this functional plasticity.