Neuropeptide expression in the mouse vomeronasal organ during postnatal development

THE expression of selected regulatory neuropeptides was investigated by imm unohistochemistry in nerves supplying the vomeronasal organ (VNO) of mice d uring postnatal development. Results show that neurons in the VNO are devoi d of immunolabeling with any of the antibody used from 1 day to 2 months of age. In the non-receptor epithelium (NRE) and the vomeronasal vascular pum p (VP) the timing of expression of regulatory neuropeptides differed among neuropeptides and the different VNO structures. Regulatory neuropeptides us ually found in sensory nerves (substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide ) and efferent nerves (neuropeptide Y, atrial natriuretic peptide) are expr essed in the NRE and the VP, respectively. These results support the view t hat the VNO is to some extent functional during postnatal development. Neur oReport 10:2023-2027 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.