Differences in chemo- and cytoarchitectural features within pars principalis of the rat anterior olfactory nucleus suggest functional specialization.

The anterior olfactory nucleus (AON) lies between the olfactory bulb and piriform cortex and is the first bilaterally innervated structure in the olfactory system. It is typically divided into two subregions: pars externa and pars principalis. We examined the cytoarchitecture of pars principalis, the largest cellular area of the region, to determine whether it is homogeneously organized. Quantitative Nissl studies indicated that large cells (cell body area >2 standard deviations (SD) larger than the mean cell size) are densest in lateral and dorsolateral regions, while small cells (>1 SD smaller than the mean) are more numerous in medial and ventral areas. Further evidence for regional differences in the organization of the AON were obtained with immunohistochemistry for calbindin (CALB), parvalbumin (PARV), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), and choline transporter (CHT). Cells immunopositive for CALB (CALB+) were denser in the deep portion of Layer II, although homogeneously dispersed throughout the circumference of the AON. PARV+ cells were located in the superficial half of Layer II and were sparse in ventral and medial regions. CHT+ and GAD+ fibers were denser in lateral versus medial regions. No regional differences were found in GAD+ somata, or in norepinephrine transporter or serotonin transporter immunoreactivity. The observed regional differences in cyto- and chemoarchitectural features may reflect functional heterogeneity within the AON.