Continual neurogenesis of vomeronasal neurons in vitro

We developed a culture system of vomeronasal neurons in which continuous de generation and regeneration of axon bundles were observed. Partially dissoc iated vomeronasal cells from rat embryonic day 15 were grown in culture and formed a miniature vomeronasal-like epithelium. We called these structures vomeronasal pockets. They contained both vomeronasal neurons and supportin g cells. They formed a spherical structure with a central cavity where micr ovilli protruded from supporting cells. Mature vomeronasal neurons with wel l-developed microvilli were not observed in the vomeronasal pocket. The tim e period between degeneration of axon bundles and the next was about 2 week s. When vomeronasal pockets were incubated with 5 mu g/mL aphidicolin, an i nhibitor of cell division, regeneration of axon bundles was not observed af ter degeneration. These results suggest that vomeronasal neurons in culture undergo continuous regeneration but do not fully mature. In this culture s ystem, vomeronasal pockets survived for over 1 year. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.