Ultrastructural characterisation of the olfactory mucosa of the armadillo Dasypus hybridus (Dasypodidae, Xenarthra)

The ultrastructure of the olfactory mucosa of the armadillo Dasypus hybridus was studied. A comparison with the olfactory mucosa of another armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus) was made. The olfactory mucosa of D. hybridus shows many features which are similar to those of other mammals. Interestingly, it differs from the olfactory mucosa of the armadillo C. villosus. A suggestion is made that these differences may be due to differences in the digging habits of these species. In Dasypus, the supporting cells (SCs) showed dense vacuoles, multivesicular bodies and lysosome-like bodies probably related with the endocytotic system. The SCs show a dense network of SER presumably associated with xenobiotic mechanisms. The olfactory receptor neurons exhibit lysosome-like bodies and multivesicular bodies in their perikarya. These organelles suggest the presence of an endocytotic system. Duct cells of Bowman's glands exhibit secretory activities. Bowman's glands are compound-branched tubulo-acinar mixed glands with merocrine secretory mechanisms.Fil: Ferrari, Carina Cintia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. Instituto de Neurociencias Aplicadas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Carmanchahi, Pablo Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. Instituto de Neurociencias Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Aldana Marcos, Hernan Javier. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. Instituto de Neurociencias Aplicadas; Argentina. Universidad de Morón; ArgentinaFil: Affanni, Jorge Mario. Universidad de Morón; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. Instituto de Neurociencias Aplicadas; Argentin