Selective and reversible reduction of odor sensitivity in the rat by concanavalin A

Rats were trained using an olfactometer to detect low concentrations of eth yl acetate (EA) or dimethyl disulphide vapor (DMDS). Concanavalin A (ConA) applied to the olfactory mucosa had no effect on ability of rats to detect low concentrations of EA but produced a marked deficit in detection in DMDS . DMDS detection performance returned to control levels 3 days after the Co nA treatment. These results provide the first behavioral evidence for odor- specific inhibition by chemical modification of the olfactory epithelium an d support the notion that ConA selectively inactivates one or more types (s ubclasses) of olfactory receptor proteins. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.