Development of the olfactory glands in fetal and early postnatal mice – A histometrical study – *
The olfactory glands of ICR-mice from 14 days of gestation to 60 days of age were histometrically examined. At 14 days of gestation, the nasal cavity could be divided into two regions;the olfactory and respiratory regions, but no olfactory glands could be observed. At 17 days of gestation, the respiratory mucosa contained numerous nasal glands, but very few olfactory glands could be seen in the olfactory mucosa, and the secretory portion in the olfactory lamina propria was very short. Between 19 days of gestation and the 0 day after birth, the olfactory glands significantly increased in number, and the secretory portions were seen to be markedly extending and were being twisted in the lamina propria. The secretory cells became characterized by an elliptic nucleus and abundant cytoplasm. At 17 days of gestation, the secretory cells could be observed in both the roof and septum areas and the turbinate area, but the lateral area did not yet contain any olfactory glands. At three days after birth, a few glands appeared in the lateral area. In conclusion, there are regional differences not only in the development but also in the distribution of the olfactory glands, and the onset of respiration is thought to play an essential role in olfactory gland development. （Accepted on May 25，2004）
