CELL-DYNAMICS IN THE EMBRYONIC AND POSTNATAL VOMERONASAL EPITHELIUM OF SNAKES

This review will discuss changes observed in the cell dynamics of the vomeronasal epithelium (VNE) of snakes during embryonic and postnatal growth. Recent work suggests that neuronal differentiation occurs earl y in VNE development. We have used an antibody to an evolutionarily co nserved peptide sequence (the PSTAIRE region) in a family of cell cycl e regulatory proteins, the cyclin-dependent kinases, to identify neuro nal precursors in the embryonic and postnatal VNE. During prenatal dev elopment, the location of neuronal precursors changes in the VNE. Sign ificant postnatal changes occur in cell proliferation in the VNE (as d etermined by H-3-thymidine autoradiography) and possibly in the larger complement of VNE receptor cell precursors (as determined by anti-PST AIRE staining). A model is proposed for changes in cell proliferation and death during embryonic development and postnatal maintenance and s enescence in VNE of snakes, which may be applicable to the VNE and olf actory epithelium of other vertebrates. Microsc. Res. Tech. 41:471-482 , 1998. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.