Olfactory neuroepithelium transplanted onto the parietal cortex of rats: electroolfactogram in absence of connections with the host brain.

A technique, allowing continuous electrophysiological monitoring of the functional properties of transplanted olfactory neuroepithelium is described. Viability of isolated parts of nasal mucosa obtained from adult rats was tested in vitro. Pieces of olfactory neuroepithelium (2 X 2 mm) were transplanted onto the exposed parietal cortex of adult rats and protected by plastic wells covered with a transparent lid. At one-week intervals the lid was removed and the transplanted epithelium was tested for electrical responses to amyl acetate vapours. Reliable electroolfactograms appeared 3 weeks after transplantation and could be elicited in 60% of transplants (n = 15) during the subsequent 6 weeks but disappeared later. Morphological control at the conclusion of the experiment showed that the transplant consisted of pieces of epithelium forming vesicular or semivesicular structures but not containing olfactory sensory neurons and not connected with the host brain. It is concluded that the method allows recording responses of the transplanted neuroepithelium to olfactory stimuli but does not yield a sufficiently stable preparation for establishing ectopic olfactory input to the brain.